How to help the Irene flood response?
Updated September 7 at noon
Julie emailed this morning:
I just made a donation to the American Red Cross, but was wondering if there were other ways that I can help the victims of flooding.
We've collected a few ways after the jump. We're sure there are others -- so, if you know of way to help, please share it.
United Way volunteers
The United Way of the Greater Capital Region is taking donations for Irene relief and organizing volunteers.
Red Cross volunteers
The American Red Cross of Northeastern New York is always looking for volunteers, and offers classes on how to become a disaster relief volunteer.
Labor for Your Neighbor
The Cuomo admin is organized volunteers over Labor Day weekend and it looks like it may do so again. It's also directing donations to the United Way.
Catskills
The Watershed Post has compiled a list of drop-off points for donations to help recovery efforts in the Catskills.
There's a Windham Rebuild fund to assist the town.
The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York
The food bank is accepting donations of bottled water and non-perishables via Sunmark Federal Credit Union and Hannaford. It's also accepting donations via text: "Make a donation to the Food Bank for Hurricane Relief. Text RFB to 20222 to make a $5 donation to the Regional Food Bank. Be sure to reply YES when you are asked to confirm. Messaging and data rates may apply."
Price Chopper
The supermarket chain is accepting donations at its registers.
Help for farmers
FarmieMarket and All Good Bakers are raising money for local farmers affected by flooding.
Upstate Americans
A group of people have created Upstate America t-shirts to raise money for recovery efforts, and to show solidarity with people upstate.
Benefit concerts
+ There's a WEXT-organized benefit concert at Valentine's September 9. $7
+ There's a Rock to Rebuild concert for Schoharie County at McGeary's on September 22. $10
+ A bunch of NYC-based musicians have put together a benefit album for upstate flood recovery.
Jumpin' Jack's
Matt Baumgartner has started a Jumpin' Jack's recovery fund.
(Thanks, Siobhan and others)
Say Something!
We'd really like you to take part in the conversation here at All Over Albany. But we do have a few rules here. Don't worry, they're easy. The first: be kind. The second: treat everyone else with the same respect you'd like to see in return. Cool? Great, post away. Comments are moderated so it might take a little while for your comment to show up. Thanks for being patient.
Comments
If you live in an area supported by volunteer fire and/or EMS services, they are always in need of donations and volunteers. Even if you can't ride the truck or treat patients, they can use your help. There are many roles to fill both active and supporting and all of these organizations are desperate for volunteers.
It is one of the best ways to help out your community. These folks have been working tirelessly since before the rain started and are still making the rounds pumping out basements.
... said komradebob on Aug 30, 2011 at 11:14 AM | link
Is anyone collecting non-perishables and water? I've only heard of one location collecting this stuff so far, but it's far away from me. We bought so much in the way on non-perishables because our stove is electric, but then Colonie/West Albany wasn't hit very hard and we didn't even lose power. I'd like to give it away, if people need it!
... said Nicole on Aug 30, 2011 at 11:28 AM | link
Thank you guys for posting all of this information! The disaster is really unlike anything else we've seen in this region--so widespread, affecting so many different communities--that there's going to be a need for volunteers for a LONG time.
Also, Nicole, I believe the Salvation Army and Catholic Charities are the lead agencies on collecting non-perishables and other material goods.
... said SiobhanGK on Aug 30, 2011 at 12:07 PM | link
@ Nicole - I'm sure the regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York would be happy to take that stuff off your hands. They are located on Albany Shaker Rd in Latham. Also, their FB page says that Sunmark FCU is collecting water and non-perishables at all of their branches.
... said Jenna on Aug 30, 2011 at 12:32 PM | link
The Watershed Post, which has been posting real-time updates on the impact of Irene on the Catskills, has lists of donation drop-off points on its website. http://www.watershedpost.com
... said Ellen on Aug 30, 2011 at 1:00 PM | link
An informal way to help out is to offer any of your older neighbors a hand cleaning up the debris in their their yards. Also, maybe head over to one of the public parks and pick a small section to clean up--just picking up the trash and small branches, but keep away from any dangerous tree limbs.
... said chrisck on Aug 30, 2011 at 1:04 PM | link
The Schoharie County Community Action Program on East Main St. in Cobleskill is accepting toiletries and clothing.
Also, PolkaDots Consignment Store in Cobleskill and Smith's Collision on Rte 20 in Sloansville, both in Schoharie County, are accepting water, food, gently used clothing, bedding, batteries, and monetary donations.
Please, these people need help - many of them have lost everything and this community had very little to begin with! It's very sad. My hometown. :(
... said Sue on Aug 30, 2011 at 2:34 PM | link
There's a site that was set up today for donations to aid in the rebuilding of Windham:
http://www.windhamrebuild.org/
... said Erin Morelli on Aug 30, 2011 at 3:45 PM | link
Hey guys: the Red Cross class for tomorrow is already full (40 people--hopefully lots of AOA-ers!), so we've added another one Thursday. Same bat time, same bat place, same bat call-the-Red-Cross-to-register number.
Thanks for spreading the word, AOA!
... said SiobhanGK on Aug 30, 2011 at 4:14 PM | link
If you are a ham, Greene and Rensselaer counties are asking for help in their Emergency Operations Centers and out in the community. Amateur radio emergency communication services ARES & RACES have been activated.
Greene county in particular is looking for 20-25 volunteers.
... said komradebob on Aug 31, 2011 at 5:14 PM | link
At the bottom of this article is information about how to volunteer and where to donate in Montgomery County.
http://www.leaderherald.com/page/content.detail/id/540070/Donors--volunteers-help-flood-victims.html?nav=5011
... said shannon on Sep 1, 2011 at 6:26 PM | link
We and Sarah Gordon of FarmieMarket, with the Regional Farm & Food Project (Saratoga non-profit) have started an online, local fund drive for upstate Irene affected farmers. Check it out here: http://www.causes.com/causes/632299-support-local-farms-damaged-by-hurricane-irene
The Schoharie County Comm. Action Program will have a truck at the Colonie Police Dept. Fri Sept 2 from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm - they are accepting EVERYTHING anyone might need to clean up and get by...from sponges to diapers, clothing, medicines, toilet paper, soaps, clothing, etc.....you get the idea. More info is on www.albanykid.com. (please publicize, AOA, if you can! haven't seen this info spread around much yet other than on Facebook).
The Saturday Delmar Farmers market will be taking donations for SCCAP this Sat as well.
Gordon Farms, through Farmie Market are raffling off a 100 lb pumpkin to help. Several other area farmers not as hard hit have offered to donate 10% of this weekend's sales to the cause.
There are many many ways to help! Try to find someone you know who knows someone affected, I bet they would welcome personal assistance from a close acquaintance. We are thinking of driving out there Monday to help w/ a friend's family.
Catskill has a CAP as well, they need donations - these CAPs (from what I can tell) are the first responders, they know the families affected and who needs how much help, where/when.
Many people are looking for temporary long term shelter while they rebuild. Some are also looking for someone to foster their pets while they are in shelters that can't accept pets. Chances are, you are only separated by one or two degrees from someone who was deeply affected and lost everything - dig in & find them, find out what they need and lend a hand! :)
... said All Good Bakers on Sep 1, 2011 at 9:22 PM | link
This is great - I will post link for Facebook friends - I think you meant September on this "Updated August 2 at 4:55 pm"
Editors: Erp. You're correct. September. Fixed. Thanks.
... said Jeni on Sep 3, 2011 at 2:53 PM | link
A few additional benefit concerts:
Hudson River Coffee House in Albany on Friday (September 9) http://tinyurl.com/3lcf8pn
Savannah's in Albany on Sunday (September 11) http://tinyurl.com/3kc3smj
Phish at Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction, VT on Wednesday (September 14) http://tinyurl.com/3d7wjcl
... said greg@nippertown.com on Sep 7, 2011 at 12:22 PM | link
The YMCA is holding a school supply drive, donations can be made at any YMCA in the Capital District!
http://www.cdymca.org/blog/11-09-08/School_Supply_Drive_For_Flood_Victims.aspx
... said Carrie on Sep 9, 2011 at 4:12 PM | link
I have a bunch of clean and washed gently used womens and childrens clothing, coats and shoes. Also a bunch of housegoods and decorations and a bunch of good condition childrens book. I'm having trouble finding anywhere that will take things that aren't "new"...I really don't want to just drop this stuff off at Goodwill where they will charge people to buy these items. If anyone has suggestions for me please email me @ fergferg7181@yahoo.com
... said Jenna on Sep 16, 2011 at 11:54 AM | link