BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts is lending a hand to states hard hit by superstorm Sandy as life returns to normal in the Bay State.

Gov. Deval Patrick authorized the state Emergency Management Agency to send eight members of the National Guard to New York. They will be stationed in Queens, N.Y. where they will assist in the storage and distribution of equipment and supplies.

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino announced that volunteers from the city’s Office of Emergency Management will fill logistics and planning positions at New York’s Emergency Operations Center, and Boston Centers for Youth & Families employees will help run an emergency shelter.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.