As the weekend starts and you begin to make plans for attending local fairs and Capital Region events, please take a minute to consider those who are spending their weekend tearing out muddy carpets from their living rooms, repairing roofs and scrambling for food and other necessities we take for granted. And these are people in our own backyard!
Hurricane-turned-tropical-storm Irene may have left by Monday morning, but her effects are still being felt in many local communities throughout the region. So if you’re looking to volunteer this weekend and not sure how you can help, we’ve pulled together a list of resources, whether you can donate your time, money, services, food, school supplies, toys, clothing, etc. Every helping hand is one step closer to full recovery for these hard hit areas and suffering families.
Here’s how you can help:
Pulled from our Albany, New York Facebook topic:
- Duanesburg Central School is collecting clothing, bathing essentials, cleaning supplies and school supplies on Friday, Sept. 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Duanesburg Elementary School. These items will be delivered to the Esperance Elks Lodge, which is working with the local Red Cross Chapter to distribute items to those in need.
- Esperance Elks #2507 in Esperance, NY – Schoharie NY and Cobleskill NY — ALL need help like cleaning supplies, food, water, clothes, track phones, calling cards, etc – drop-off at Esperance Elks and Schoharie Central School.
- Josh DeBartolo is trying to put together teams of people to go from house to house for bigger work in middleburgh and schoharie ie) gutting walls/carpet … if you are interested in joining him please call me at 518-301-5785.
- You can call the Cobleskill Middle School to sign up as a volunteer for Schoharie flood victims or to make donations. 518-234-2355.
- On Friday, a pickup truck to collect items needed for residents of flooded communities will be parked in the north lot of the Colonie Police Department, 312 Wolf Road.– Why not donate also? — Items needed include bottled water, coffee, hand… sanitizer, unscented detergent, hot cocoa, salt and pepper, bagels, English muffins, butter, ketchup, mustard, energy bars, granola bars, dish soap, baked goods, antacid tablets, children’s electrolyte replacement drinks (like Pedialyte), adult and infant diapers and wipes, pillows, blankets, linens, phone cards, gas cards, disposable phones, individual serving-size food, cash donations, toilet paper, garbage bags, sponges, rubber gloves, pre-packaged individual puddings, applesauce, snacks, etc. for Meals on Wheels, small-sized syrup, bread, sturdy paper plates and napkins. Also, shoes, new undergarments, bras, sports bras and underwear.
- PLEASE CALL TDBANK at 455-9912 and DONATE to “REBUILD GILBOA“!! A Fund that Pete Agostinello set up to HELP the School Children and their Families out after the devastating floods in the Schoharie Valley. The Gilboa-Conesville School District serves; Prattsville, Gilboa, Conesville, Blenheim and a few other Destroyed Towns! Its a TAX Free Donation! Call 455-9912 donate to “REBUILD GILBOA”
- Belleayre Music Festival has changed its September 3rd concert by Bela Fleck and the Flecktones to a Flood Relief Benefit to help raise funds for the area communities that were so devastated because of the flooding. https://www.albany.com/whatsnew/2011/09/flood-relief-benefit.html
Follow the thread here for updates
More places you can volunteer to help flood victims this weekend, as listed on YNN:
- Donate, give blood or volunteer for the American Red Cross. The American Red Cross has established a 24-hour emergency shelter at Golding Middle School/Ryder Elementary School in the Cobleskill-Richmondville School District. Volunteers for all shifts are needed. Visit the main office in Golding Middle School to register as a volunteer.
- The Schoharie County Community Action Program is collecting donations of nonperishable food items, diapers, water, new clothing from child to adult, toiletries and money, cash or check (100% goes to individual victims). Donations may also be dropped off across the street from the office.Checks can be mailed to: SCCAP 795 E. Main Street, Suite 5 Cobleskill, N.Y.12043 MEMO: FLOOD VICTIMSCall (518) 234-2568 for more information.
- How to help volunteers: The Carlisle Fire Department Auxiliary is providing support to Schoharie Valley volunteers. They are collecting donations of items, cash, checks, and gift cards to Walmart, Price Chopper, and BJ’s.Checks can be mailed to:Carlisle Fire Dept Auxiliary P.O. Box 73 Carlisle, N.Y. 12031.All donations can also be dropped off at the Carlisle Fire Department on Route 20. Donations are being accepted daily from 9-11 a.m.; 2-4 p.m.; and 6-8 p.m. You can also call the fire department at (518) 234-2134 to coordinate.
- Volunteers are needed in Middleburgh to help with cleanup at the high school/middle school building. The first and second floors have not been compromised, but there is extensive damage to the following areas: Cafeteria, Distance Learning Room, Faculty room, all lower-floor tech rooms, gym and associated rooms, etc. Volunteers should check in at the command center in front of old bus garage. Only those taking part in the lower level cleanup process should be on school grounds.
- The Regional Food Bank is working with the National Guard to airlift food and other vital supplies to communities in Greene, Schoharie, and Delaware counties that are inaccessible by road. Financial donations are needed to assist with the costs of shipping and handling all this food. Donations can be made by visiting the Food Bank’s website at www.regionalfoodbank.net. Click on the Donate Now button and select “Hurricane Relief” in the Program Description box. Donations of food can be dropped off at the Regional Food Bank or any Sunmark Federal Credit Union branch. Texting RFB to 20222 to make an immediate $5 donation.
- The REBUILD GILBOA fund has been setup and is accepting donations. REBUILD GILBOA is working to raise funds to give to the Gilboa-Conesville Central School District to help alleviate the burden of purchasing clothing, food and school supplies for children coming to school for classes in the 2011-2012 school year. The money raised will be donated to the school and used by the school as needed for the benefit of affected children. Donations can be made to any TDBANK location under the heading REBUILD GILBOA. Existing TDBANK customers can call Dustin Krause at (518) 455-9912 or their local branch and transfer funds from their TDBANK accounts. Non-TDBANK customers can call and will be instructed on how to donate. TDBANK will also accept mail-in donations. Checks should be made payable to REBUILD GILBOA. 100% of all funds will go directly to the people of Gilboa and the surrounding areas.
- Parkside Veterinary Hospital located at 172 Morton Avenue is collecting donations that will be brought on a weekly basis to the Schoharie Valley Animal Shelter. The shelter is in need of cat litter, canned dog food, bleach and other cleaning products, fleece blankets, laundry detergent, as well as foster homes for the animals. A donation station has been set up in the Parkside lobby. Call (518) 463-0418 for more information.
Visit YNN for more information on those listed above
If you know of any additional volunteer opportunities or organizations to donate to, please add them in the comments below. Are you planning on offering a helping hand to Irene victims this weekend?
