‘Rebuild the Beach’ helped raise money after Sandy’s fury. 10 years later, it’s still donating to causes

The immense damage from the 2012 storm left Liz Nachman asking what the next step was. Her son, Geoffrey Noss, came up with a game plan through a rallying slogan – “Rebuild the Beach.”

News 12 Staff

Oct 21, 2022, 9:50 PM

Updated 718 days ago

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From her apartment balcony, Liz Nachman saw Superstorm Sandy's fury decimate the City by the Sea.
The immense damage from the 2012 storm left her asking what the next step was. Her son, Geoffrey Noss, came up with a game plan through a rallying slogan – “Rebuild the Beach.”
“He's like, ‘Mom, I want to make T-shirts to raise money for the school district,'” she told News 12.
Nachman admits she was skeptical at first, but the slogan "Rebuild the Beach" apparently spoke to many residents on the barrier island trying to pick up the pieces.
Within days, Nachman says there were 100 orders placed for tank tops and sweatshirts. She then immersed herself into “Rebuild the Beach” apparel. She racked up more than $30,000 in sales within the first few weeks.
Nachman began donating the money to the Long Beach School District in November 2012.
“We were buying gift cards and giving them to the school's social workers,” she said. Those cards were then dispersed to people in need. 
Ten years later, Nachman is still at it. A portion of her T-shirt sales go to causes close to her heart, including scholarships for Long Beach High School students. 
Ilene Ratner, the district’s technology secretary, said it had a “big impact.”
“The monetary value bought books for the students for their secondary education,” she said.
Nachman also donates to the Long Beach Kiwanis Club. Its secretary says she’s raised money for school supplies, coat drives, food drives and to send kids to local summer camps.
“That's the best part, we're helping people,” said Nachman.