If you follow Cha-Ching on a Shoestring on Facebook, you know that I’ve posted some pictures of the flooding in my hometown of Binghamton, NY this week. Here are a few more glimpses into the devastation that has impacted the Southern Tier of New York and parts of Pennsylvania.
My Parents’ Church
The Walmart where I used to shop
A Binghamton Elementary School
And honestly, those pictures are only just the beginning. Thousands upon thousands of people have been forced out of their homes and the efforts to rebuild have only just begun. This is why it is so important to always make sure you have home insurance. It’s not a legal requirement so many people avoid it to save money, but if you compare coverage and prices you’ll be able to find a good deal and have help there when you need it. Many of my readers have been greatly impacted and my heart has been heavy for you.
I’ve been feeling a little helpless this week since I am 2 1/2 hours away. But my cousin and I put our heads together and decided that there is no reason why we can’t help. We created a Facebook page with details on how others can help and we invite you to join us.
Here’s how you can help:
Over the next week or two, I will be collecting donations in the Souderton, PA area at Grace Bible Church on 423 Main St. Donations can be dropped off at the church office (which is the building on the Summit Ave. entrance, not in the main church building) from 10 am – 3 pm Monday through Friday. If you would like to contact the church for more information, you can call the office at (215) 723-3992.
If you are unable to drop off donations at that location or during that time period, please contact me using my contact form here and we will work something else out.
Here is a list of items that are needed right now:
toothbrushes and toothpaste
denture containers and toothpaste
feminine hygiene products
shampoo
brushes, combs
socks (for all ages)
toys for kids of all ages
games which can be played inside, for kids of all ages
books for kids and adults
Desperately needed:
Jugs/bottles of Water, Ready-to feed Baby formula, Diapers, baby wipes, Non-perishable ready-to-eat food items, cleaning supplies like dust masks and gloves, Clorox, mops and pails
Head over to the Facebook Event page to learn more and feel free to ask any questions.
I am confident that we can make a difference together.
And THANK YOU in advance!
Thanks for organizing supplies and help! I’m in the Capital region of NY and have helped out in Schoharie, where there was terrible flooding from Irene (http://plantedbyhisstream.wordpress.com/2011/09/06/clean-and-dry/). Thankfully the storm that got the Binghamton area mostly missed us. Flooding is so hard to deal with. I helped rebuild a couple houses in Conklin, NY several years ago after flooding there. I wonder if they got hit again as well. God bless all those dealing with the aftermath of these storms.
Thank you, Amanda. And unfortunately, Conklin did get hit hard again. Many homes that were rebuilt a few years ago were flooded yet again. I’m thankful to know that people like you are willing to lend a hand!
Kaley, I can’t thank you enough for organizing this drive. My brother, his wife, and kids live right down the street from the Walmart in your pictures. They have been without electricity about a week now. I have been worried about them all week. I can’t imagine trying to keep a 1 year old and 3 year old busy with no electricity. They aren’t supposed to drink the water without boiling it first but the gas has been turned off in the area, so they can’t do that. They had only one bottle of milk and three bottles of water in the house. The milk spoiled and the water, long gone. They’ve had no milk or formula to feed the kids. I just can’t imagine having to go through this. So … thank you, thank you, thank you for helping families like my brother’s.
Thank you for sharing about your family, Nicole. I wish we could all see the faces of the people that have been impacted. You’ve given us a little glimpse and confirmed that this is such an important time to give.
Kaley, I am from your home town area and the devastation is just incredible. Everywhere you turn, there is someone you know who has lost everything, or close to everything that they own! We have been helping out all weekend with clean-up, but the jobs are just endless! Thank you for thinking of your hometown!
I know that the pictures themselves bring me to tears, Tari, so I can’t imagine what you must feel in the midst of it all. Hoping we can be a source of encouragement in this dark time!