January 3, 2012
On September 8th, many area residents woke up to find that their world had suddenly changed. Flood mud inundated their homes and businesses, ending “life as we knew it”.
In a historic outpouring of support, the community came together at the “Valley Rally” on September 17 and donated, besides many truckloads of clothing and furniture, almost $260,000 in cash. The Bridge of the Penn-York Valley Churches had been asked to receive the proceeds (not realizing what we were getting ourselves in for) and so we did.
Following the Valley Rally, The Bridge has continued to receive donations earmarked for flood relief. By the end of 2011, the total amount received for flood relief was $337,000.
During the initial phase of distribution, a total of $800 was given to each of approximately 400 flooded households within our service area. We also purchased and gave out cleaning supplies and equipment totalling about $8000. This phase concluded on December 12. Since then, we continue to receive new requests for assistance, but we are now only able to offer $450, and we make these grants only as new donations allow.
The Bridge has distributed (and continues to do so), via it’s “Clothes Closet” and “Furniture Warehouse”, large quantities of quality used items. They are open to any flood survivor regardless of where they live. If a value were to be placed on the clothing, housewares and furniture that have been given out, it would easily exceed- maybe even by double- the amount of cash distributed.
The Bridge had been asked to provide assistance to the flooded businesses in Athens, but assisting businesses with cash is not within our charter. However, we did get an opportunity just the same. We were contacted by Sikorsky Aircraft in Horseheads with an offer to take as much office furniture as we could, from a building that was being closed. In December, a group of volunteers packed a tractor trailer (donated by Rynone) full from floor to ceiling and returned to the Furniture Warehouse with it. It was distributed via the Athens Business Association and the businesses were very pleased to receive the items.
The small group of volunteers who collectively make up The Bridge have been through a lot in the past few months. We’re glad to have been able to help but we are also glad to see our level of involvement becoming more sustainable. We didn’t ask to be the administrators of the donations- we were asked to help and we agreed to. Of the funds received, about 95% has been distributed, and we continue to make grants. We haven’t made everyone happy but we have sure tried!
In order to assure the public that flood funds were properly distributed, The Bridge has contracted with LaBarr & LaBarr, CPA’s, to perform a “compilation” of its books. The results of this will be available to the public, but LaBarr cannot conduct it until sometime in May or June.
All of this flood relief work has somewhat eclipsed the routine assistance that The Bridge has provided for 25 years, but we do continue to “bridge the gap” for those in need in our community. Thank you for your support.