“Unthinkable.”

“Unprecedented.”

“Devastating.”

The worst superstorm in 100 years has left the Northeast, Cuba and Haiti reeling from historic damage. Deaths, floods, power outages and wreckage comprise the plight of communities across the East Coast.

Now is no time to sit on the sidelines; millions of people need your help. Companies can - and should - step up and demonstrate their leadership by engaging their employees in disaster relief for communities affected by Hurricane Sandy.

To that end, Causecast has created a disaster response and recovery campaign which is available right now within its Community Impact Platform. If you need any help launching a disaster relief campaign, please do not hesitate to contact us immediately. We will get you up and running right away.

Whether you’re using Causecast's platform or not, the most effective step your company can take is to encourage workplace giving donations to relief agencies like Operation USA and AmeriCares. But volunteers are also needed as a part of the massive clean-up effort across the Northeast; and it’s not just physical labor that’s needed - skills-based volunteers are in demand as well. After disasters like this, legal advice, accounting help, translation skills, and even real estate help will be needed in the days and weeks ahead.

Here are some organizations that have indicated a need for volunteers:

New York Cares is accepting volunteer applications through their website, especially if you've attended a New York Care orientation sometime in the recent past. Updates about where to volunteer will be updated throughout the day but for now potential volunteers should create an account so they can be contacted if they are needed.

John Jay High School in Park Slope, which was set up as an evacuation shelter, is looking for volunteers to work six to eight hour shifts helping out. They are also seeking belts and clothing for men and children.

The Red Cross is looking for volunteers to assist in shelters throughout the region. Shifts are 12-hours and volunteers work over multiple days. Training will be afforded to those without experience. Sign up by filling out an online application here.

This Google crisis map shows area Red Cross shelters and NYC evacuation centers. Borough President Marty Markowitz Tweeted this information earlier urging people to help.

Lower East Side: Lower East Side Recovers is an effort to match volunteers and givers with people who have needs in the Lower East Side, coordinated by the folks at Occupy NYC and community organizations on the ground.

Astoria: Astoria Recovers is connecting volunteers and givers in the Queens neighborhood.

Red Hook: Red Hook Recovers is connecting volunteers and givers in the Brooklyn neighborhood.

Brooklyn Shelters: Councilman Brad Lander says volunteers are needed at both the Park Slope Armory (8th Avenue between 14th and 15th streets) and John Jay High School (7th Avenue between 4th and 5th streets). He says you should be willing to put in a 6-8 hour shift. Kids cannot volunteer and should stay at home.

Queens Shelters: The office of Queens Borough President Helen Marshall says city shelters in Queens are in need of volunteers. They recommend checking nyc.gov for shelter locations.

Staten Island: Staten Island Recovers is connecting volunteers and givers in the borough and@SIrecovers

Far Rockaway: So far minimal information available for the Queens neighborhood, but the Far Rockaway Facebook page has been collating questions and needs.

New Jersey: Newark Mayor Cory Booker says that volunteers can check Jersey Cares for volunteering opportunities near them.

A volunteer emergency response hotline can be reached at 1-800-JERSEY-7 (1-800-537-7397) - they're looking for trained volunteers who are affiliated with an emergency response organization to volunteer their services. Gov. Chris Christie's office says the hotline is getting an overwhelming response, so another number to try is 609-218-0460.

The Food Bank For New York City has different ways for you to get involved: you can donate by texting FBNYC to 50555—or you can see if your local pantry or kitchen can use volunteers by going to the locator.

You can also look into the following opportunities across several states:

New York

Long Island Volunteer Center

The Volunteer Center

New Jersey

State of New Jersey Volunteers press release

Jersey Cares

Pennsylvania

American Red Cross Spontaneous Volunteers

Rhode Island

Serve Rhode Island

And nationally, you can contact the following organizations about volunteer opportunities no matter where you are:

American Red Cross

The Salvation Army

Red Star Rescue - part of the American Humane Association