Leading apparel company Kerusso has provided assistance to the Long Island, N.Y., area, impacted last month by Hurricane Sandy, called one of the worst storms in the nation's history. The U.S. death toll from the Oct. 29 storm has topped 100.

The largest Atlantic hurricane on record knocked out power for millions, causing at least $20 billion in damage, USA Today reported. Sandy was the second-costliest Atlantic hurricane, only surpassed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Kerusso CEO and President Vic Kennett said that his Berryville, Ark.-based company donated more than 6,100 items, including 1,990 sweatshirts and 2,230 winter caps. The clothing is being distributed throughout Long Island by Men's Discipleship Network (MDN).

"Our hearts go out to the victims and their families," Kennett said. "We pray that the apparel will help clothe those in need, and that the messages of hope on these items will be an encouragement."

MDN's John Tomasseli added: "This clothing will go to people in need, and we're thankful that Vic and the people at Kerusso are able to help, filling physical needs and opening doors to ministering to spiritual needs."

Meanwhile, Sandi Patty and Jason Crabb are scheduled to do a special benefit performance Nov. 24 at Calvary Baptist Church in New York City. All proceeds from the concert, part of the pair's A Christmas Celebration tour, were to be given to World Vision for the organization's Sandy relief efforts in the New York and New Jersey.

Robin Hogan, general manager of the Christian Cultural Center Bookstore in Brooklyn, N.Y., said the store was closed for two days due to Sandy.

"I have lived in New York for over 40 years and I have never experienced anything like Hurricane Sandy," Hogan, who was recently appointed to the CBA board, told Christian Retailing. "New York has the largest transportation system in the United States, and the subways were flooded with salt water from the Atlantic Ocean.

"Praise God for His mercy and grace," she added. "As a staff, along with our church, we prayed before the storm for the protection of our church, store, staff, families and communities. God answered our prayers because our families and homes were safe and secure."

Based in Phillipsburg, N.J., P&R Publishing was shut down by Hurricane Sandy for four-and-a-half days, starting Oct. 29.

"Many of our staff were without power," said P&R Publishing Sales and Marketing Vice President Ian Thompson. "All our staff were safe. ... On Monday, Nov. 5, we still didn't have phones back. Some of our employees were still out of power."

Headquartered in the New York City borough of Manhattan, American Bible Society (ABS) was closed due to the storm.

"We are very thankful to report that there was no loss of life or serious injury to [ABS] staff," said Geoffrey Morin, ABS's chief communications officer.

Random House's building in New York City was unaffected and remained opened, despite being buffeted by high winds and heavy rain from Sandy, said company spokesman Stuart Applebaum. The company's Maryland distribution center was shut down for 30 hours on the day the storm hit, but was back in full operation the next evening.

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