Lutnik, author of “An Unbroken Bond,” added that Cantor Fitzgerald and BGC Partners are matching all donations to the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund for Hurricane Sandy assistance.

In each case, there was some connection between Cantor Fitzgerald and the community. For example, seven Cantor Fitzgerald employees live in Long Beach and were able to testify to the devastation left in Sandy’s wake.

“We came out within weeks of the hurricane,” said Allison Lutnick, wife of Cantor Fitzgerald L.P. Chairman and CEO Howard Lutnick. “Volunteers working in teams of six inspected these areas, so we saw firsthand how much help was needed.”

While waiting in line at the distribution site, many Long Beach residents shared their stories. Because many of his friends are still displaced, George Ramos, whose son attends Lindell School, said that he was happy to connect with many friends whom he hadn’t seen for months.

Charnell Briggs, who has two children at Lindell School, had opened her doors to her cousin Jasmine Rogers’ family. The extra money will help their families to carry on. Bonnie Salsone, the mother of triplets at Lido School who was recently widowed, lost everything in the storm, and said that she was grateful for the extra support.

Laura Tuffy, who has two children at East School, said that the gift card is a big help. She and her family have been living in a rental apartment while their home is being repaired, and said that trying to keep up with both rent and mortgage payments has been a struggle.

Lisa Goldstein received a gift card as well. Her family had to be pulled from their home as floodwaters engulfed them during the storm, and the house, which was totally destroyed, is being torn down. But with a fourth-grader at East School, as well as a senior graduating from the high school this year, the Goldsteins are among the many families who are trying to maintain some semblance of a normal life on in the aftermath of the storm.