Irene: How to help the relief effort

The most effective and immediate way of contributing to the relief effort right now is through the Red Cross, by volunteering to assist in one of the many communities struck throughout New York, or by making a contribution:
 - The Red Cross needs immediate volunteers for storm relief in northeastern New York, and is offering fast-track disaster relief training to volunteers who can assist in various aspects of the relief effort.
 - Donate online to the Red Cross and specify that your contribution goes directly towards Hurricane Irene releif in northeastern New York.
 - Text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Contact one of the Red Cross' local chapters for more information:
- Adirondack / Saratoga Chapter (Glens Falls): (518)792-6545
- Northeastern NY Chapter (Albany): (518)458-8111

If Forum readers are aware of other ways to help make a difference in the relief effort, I'd appreciate getting that information posted on this thread.
Thanks.

If you live in the area in Ausable Forks at the community center Volunteers are needed

They are feeding the National Guard, Fire and Rescue people and victims in Au Sable Forks. Help is needed to serve. Shifts are
7-9
12-2
5-7
Food and plastic utensils are needed. Bring a main dish, salad or dessert to share.
Volunteers needed to help the elderly with lifting and moving debris to the road and other tasks.

Txt sent.

Jeff this is a really good idea.  It looks like Red Cross for Northeast NY also covers at least part of the Catskills.

Here is a bitly (shortened) link to this thread if anyone wants to post this thread on their Facebook or Twitter pages:

http://bit.ly/q6gGK7

Or just push out the info anyway you like.  

Gotta say that social media really seem to shine in a crisis.

From today's Saratogian:

SCHENECTADY — Price Chopper and the American Red Cross are raising money for regional victims of Tropical Storm Irene.

Price Chopper is selling window signs at all of its registers and will match the first $10,000 raised for the Red Cross. All the money raised will go to victims in New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut and New Hampshire.

Also, from now through Labor Day, $1 from every fresh-made pizza sold (hot or cold for take-out) at any Price Chopper will be donated to the American Red Cross disaster relief efforts.

The American Red Cross, which has 35 shelters open throughout northeastern New York, also encourages direct donations to the organization to assist during the hurricane season, which is just beginning.

From today's Adirondack Daily Enterprise.  This is additional information on the same volunteer effort mentioned by Ausable Skier above ^^^.

THANK YOU to everyone who has expressed concern about Plattekill and our communities.  It has been an unbelievably devastating past few days since the hurricane hit Saturday night.  The water table levels rose so fast EVERYWHERE with flash flooding that you were either in its path or not.  And, if you were, everything was destroyed.  

Plattekill Mountain and Roxbury, through an act of God, were not nearly hit as hard as some of our neighboring towns literally just 10-20 miles away that basically have been wiped out.  We have been truly blessed.

Plattekill wants to help anyone in need or anyone you know of who needs help, free of charge, with flood cleanup, excavation, dump truck trash removal and debris cleanup, dry ice and water delivery and shelter.  We are without power, so please do not call, we are reachable via email at info@plattekill.com and on facebook and urge those in need to contact us, please.

If you would like to help our communities, here are some sites to consider visiting for more information about what is happening here and how to help:

http://www.watershedpost.com/

United Way of Delaware and Otsego Counties -  
607-432-1030 to pledge, or 888-432-1030
https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=117266381707571

http://upstater.net/tag/hurricane-irene-delaware-county/

Thanks - Laszlo and Danielle.

The Red Cross needs immediate volunteers for storm relief in northeastern New York, and is offering fast-track disaster relief training to volunteers who can assist in various aspects of the relief effort - I had seen this info somewhere on the watershed site that Laszlo and Danielle posted about above.  Some incredible pictures and video from the towns that have been hammered by the rains and flooding associated with Hurricane Irene there also - it is unbelievable! I was going to go to the class in Albany scheduled this evening but just got a call back saying it was full.  I have signed up for the 9/6 class.

For more information on volunteering or finding about the availability of future classes try this site NE NY Volunteer Engagement.  It has contact info there that might be quicker than just calling the main number.

My wife and I went to the Red Cross training this evening.  There were 40-50 attendees, including some walk-ins.  The training wrapped up in significantly less time than the advertised 4 hours.  We have to complete some on-line registration, and we will then be certified to participate subject to our availability and the RC's needs.  It sounds like the greatest needs at this time are in the Catskills rather than the Adks, so it is likely that we would be deployed there.

A couple more ways to help out:
 - From today's Times Union, Where to donate and how to help Irene's victims.
 - Fox 23's website has a fairly large list of local organizations that are accepting clothing and other donations for the relief effort.

Adk Jeff wrote

My wife and I went to the Red Cross training this evening.  There were 40-50 attendees, including some walk-ins.  The training wrapped up in significantly less time than the advertised 4 hours.  We have to complete some on-line registration, and we will then be certified to participate subject to our availability and the RC's needs.  It sounds like the greatest needs at this time are in the Catskills rather than the Adks, so it is likely that we would be deployed there.

WELLS MEMORIAL LIBRARY CLEANUP UPDATE
The tasks are overwhelming, but the community support is gratifying! Around 35 people showed up during the day Wednesday to box up what is left of our collections, to hose off our furniture, and to begin washing off the mud. Our plea for boxes had people scurrying all over the area to bring boxes (which we still need, by the way). And we received food for our volunteers. Thank you all.
We will be at it again Thursday, starting at 9:00. A major task is to begin sweeping up the drying mud, washing the floors and baseboards. If anyone can drop in to help us out, we would appreciate it. We have breathe-able masks to wear while working with the mud dust, but could use some rags and Spic & Span or other cleaners.


FROM RANDY DOUGLAS, SUPERVISOR, TOWN OF JAY
The Town of Jay in conjunction with Au Sable Forks Fire Department is still in need of volunteers to help maintain the kitchen for the emergency shelter. Our plan is to continue to provide meals in the form of a light breakfast from 7-9am, a light lunch from 12-3pm and dinner from 5-7pm.
Call supervisor's office 647-2204 to sign up.
We are at this time providing meals for the National Guard, The Army Corps of Engineers, Local Volunteer organizations and victims of Hurricane Irene who are not able to provide for themselves.
We need:
chicken
ground beef
pasta, potato and mac salads
fresh veggies and fruits
cereal
eggs, bacon,and sausage
milk and juice
Also requesting cleaning supplies:
mops and latex gloves
floor cleaners
disinfectants
brooms
Brookside Motor Inn in Upper Jay is also providing meals for those unable to get to the Au Sable Forks site.
All items and any cash donations (checks made out to cash) can be dropped off at the Supervisors Office in Au Sable Forks at:
11 School Lane
Au Sable Forks 12912


My wife has been helping with the breakfasts in Auasable and at the Library in Upper Jay after that

I found this on the TGR EC Stoke thread, now fully engaged with Irene relief news:

from the mountaineer in keene valley:

Dear friends of the Mountaineer,

As many of you have heard, Keene and Keene Valley were hit hard by the high waters that tropical storm Irene brought to the area. The Mountaineer was fortunate to suffer only minor damage, but our Garage Sale and many other businesses and homes were not so lucky. The community has been amazing and the rebuilding process is in full swing. The Keene Community Trust has partnered with the Adirondack Community Trust and set up a fund for those interested in helping with the financial costs of the recovery effort—please see the press release following this email for details. We would like to thank everyone who has called, emailed or stopped in to see how we are doing. Your concern is very much appreciated.

Normally we would be ramping up for Labor Day and emailing with the hope that you will be coming to the area for the weekend. While we still hope to see you this weekend, we’re emailing to let you know how things look for travel and recreation over the holiday. Travel throughout the region is mostly possible with some exceptions. Route 73 is closed south of Keene Valley, and traffic coming from I-87 is being detoured though Elizabethtown. While you can reach Keene Valley from the detour, the Chapel Pond area is not accessible. Route 73 is open from Keene Valley to Lake Placid. The other notable road closure in the area is route 9N between Keene and Jay. If you are coming to the High Peaks by way of I-87 (north or south) the best option is to take exit 31, following route 9N through Elizabethtown and down Spruce Hill until you hit route 73.

The DEC has closed all trails in the Eastern High Peaks, Giant and Dix Wilderness areas. They have not stated how long the trail closures will be in effect, but it will be at least through Labor Day and likely longer. If you were planning a hiking trip in the High Peaks you’ll need to come up with alternate activities, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t come! Local stores, restaurants and lodging will be open this weekend and could use your business now more than ever.

We hope that you weathered the storm without any damage and look forward to seeing you the next time you’re in town.

Sincerely,

The Mountaineer Crew


Keene Flood Recovery Fund Launched

The Keene Community Trust, in partnership with the Adirondack Community Trust, has launched a Flood Recovery Fund to assist the residents, seasonal residents and business owners of Town of Keene, NY (including the hamlets of Keene, Keene Valley and St. Huberts) recover from the flood damage resulting from Tropical Storm Irene. A special account has been established to receive contributions for distribution for those in need.

“People are hurting,” said Keene Community Trust secretary Phyllis Buchanan. “Many have suffered catastrophic losses, including destruction of their homes and businesses furniture, cars, clothing and other personal item. Local farmers lost their crops and store owners found their inventory covered in mud. This fund will provide immediate assistance to help the people of our community get back on their feet while government agencies work on rebuilding infrastructure. Down the road, we have a firehouse to rebuild and re-equip and a library to repair.

“The floodwaters exceeded all records. Raging brooks and rivers tore through homes and business that don’t have flood insurance. Damaged walls and insulation have to be removed quickly and restored before mold sets in. Winter will soon be upon us—we have to act now. We are establishing this fund so we as a community can help our friends and neighbors rebuild and restore our hamlets.”

A special allocations committee is being established along with simple application forms so that those seeking assistance can do so easily and the funds distributed fairly and quickly. All contributions are tax-deductible. The Adirondack Community Trust will provide administrative and accounting support. Both the Keene and Adirondack Community Trust hope that this effort will provide a model for other communities to consider as a means of addressing their own challenges.

“We understand that there are both emotional and financial needs, and at the same time sweat equity too can be a valuable contribution,” said Buchanan. “We are working closely with our local civic, spiritual, educational and public leaders to take a proactive approach to providing assistance, avoiding duplication and prioritizing our response. Keene is a very special place. It is a community where every person is valued.”

A web site is being established. In the meantime, contributions can be made out to: ACT/ Keene Flood Recovery Fund and mailed to: Adirondack Community Trust, PO Box 288, Lake Placid, NY 12946. For further information contact Melissa Eisinger at 518-523-9904.

Naj Wikoff: 518.576.2063 naj@kvvi.net

"The Governor will kick off a volunteer effort, “Labor for your Neighbor” on Labor Day weekend to assist in local clean up efforts in the Schoharie Valley, Catskill and North Country Regions..."
Labor for your Neighbor

You can also help though donations. All contributions go directly to assisting storm victims.

 to see the most complete collection of photos I've found on the flood and recovery efforts on facebook go to AuSable Forks, NY...in the Adirondacks
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/AuSable-Forks-NYin-the-Adirondacks/125588860817235

Please be advised that the Town of Jay has set up an account for victims of Tropical Storm Irene that will include strictly residents and businesses in the Town of Jay (Jay, Upper Jay and Village of AuSable forks). We have hired a bookkeeper who has thirty years of experience with municipalities who will be overseeing this account.

We thank you for the donations that have been pouring into the Town of Jay over the past few days.

We encourage you to donate to this newly created fund. Please make any donation checks payable to “Town of Jay Irene Relief Fund”. These checks can be mailed to: Town of Jay, P.O. Box 730, Au Sable Forks, N.Y. 12912, or they can be dropped off at the Community Center which is located at 11 School Lane in Au Sable Forks.

Margaretville is set for volunteers Sunday, but they're open monday thru next weekend. Stop by the station set up in the back of Home Goods in the commons mall, and they'll find you some work.

If anyone has any experience with the Mark Project:

http://markproject.org/

please PM me.

ml242 wrote

Margaretville is set for volunteers Sunday, but they're open monday thru next weekend. Stop by the station set up in the back of Home Goods in the commons mall, and they'll find you some work.

Bryan, who wrote the recent magazine article on Solitude, UT, volunteered in Margaretville yesterday. Maybe he can give us a report.

Hi Harvey

MARK-Project is offering interest-free loans to businesses and money for individuals.

No interest loans are being offered from their revolving loan program. They are now waiving interest for all flood stricken businesses. They are also planning on letting people defer repayments for 6 mos if they need. MARK's big interest with the loans now is to make sure businesses can reopen.

Then on donations side of it, MARK will have a basic application that anyone can fill out and a panel that will prioritize applications based on need. The donations will be made purely from the donated money and the panel's job
will be to figure out who needs the money most, first, and get it in their hands. http://markproject.org/about-mark/donate/

Hope this helps...

THANKS!

D