Giving Help

LAST UPDATED - 4:19pm on 10/03/11

Many of us in the area have been fortunate enough to not be affected by the September floods, but others did not fair so well. The whole basis of NEPA Blogs is to talk about blogging and people from the area, but we would not be doing the community a service if we didn't help out in this time of extreme need.

Here are ways that you can help:

Entercom Communications is holding a cleaning supply drive for the victims of the flooding. You can drop off supplies at either the Wilkes-Barre Twp. Wal-Mart or the one in Taylor. Help them fill the trailer. More details here: http://pahomepage.com/fulltext?nxd_id=199416



The American Red Cross's Facebook Page states that "Over 4,000 people spent last night in Red Cross shelters in NY & PA." You can donate to the Red Cross's efforts by texting REDCROSS to 90999. I believe the 10 dollar donation will be tacked on to your monthly cell phone bill.

WNEP & Times Shamrock Communications have set up a local Flood Relief Fund. More information about how you can donate here.

The Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce has setup a recovery website where you can give help/get help or find information about the recovery efforts. Wilkes-Barre City has a similar website setup here. Here is a list of open GWB Chamber member businesses: http://gwbrecovery.org/open-for-business/list-of-ofb-companies. John Dawe released a Flood Recovery for Business Briefing Slideshow here.

The HelpLine of NEPA is always a valuable resource for assistance for crisis situations. They are on Twitter and Facebook and also have a website: http://www.helpline-nepa.info

Voluntary Action Center of Northeastern PA is requesting volunteers to assist with the Flood Clean-up efforts. Read the Press Release here.

The Penn State Cooperative Extension has provided the following information links: http://www.extension.purdue.edu/floodpub/index.html and http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/flood.

WNEP TV seems to be echoing our efforts: They established at Help for Flood Victims link here.

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Disaster Assistance provides low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, non-profit organizations to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, inventory and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster.

Here is a list of types of loans in which you may qualify: Home and Personal Property Loans, Business Physical Disaster Loans, Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Military Reservists Economic Injury Loans.

For more information about services provided by the SBA, visit www.sba.gov, or call the SBA customer service center at 1-800-659-2955.

Via: The Times Leader

You can Pre-Register for FEMA Assistance by calling (800)621-3362. TTY 1-800-462-7585 for hearing impaired. Or online: www.disasterassistance.gov

Please have the following:

• Address and phone number where you can be reached
• Social Security number
• Mailing address
• Date the damage occured
• Address of the affected property
• Brief description of the damages
• Insurance information
• Family's gross income

Register today - Even if you have Flood Insurance. Some losses may not be covered.


The Wilkes University Small Business Development Center is available to assist small business owners affected by the recent flood. Please contact our office at 570-408-4340 if we can help you in your recovery effort. Please pass this message along to those who may benefit from our assistance.

NEPAConnect.com was emailed to me from Amy Gregory. She noticed my post about the "Giving Help" link on the Wyoming Valley Flood 2011 Facebook Page and tells me

"NEPA Connect created a FREE matching tool for needs and donations/services to help out. I think it will solve the problem of posts falling off the page like they do on FB pages. Please give it a try and recommend it to others!"

I just headed over there to offer some baby furniture to a needy family. If you have any stuff laying around not being used that you can offer up, I'd suggest using this portal. Listings are free of charge.

The United Way of Wyoming Valley has established a Flood Relief Fund for victims of the early September Floods. You can learn more about it by visiting their website: http://www.unitedwaywb.org

In response to the recent flood, United Way has established a fund for flood relief victims in the Wyoming Valley. At the same time, United Way of Wyoming Valley has decided to postpone the start of its annual community campaign, so that it can focus its efforts on meeting the immediate critical needs of our community due to the recent natural disaster.

With the help of a community impact committee, consisting of community volunteers, flood-related needs will be prioritized and relief funds will be allocated. Every penny of one’s donation will go to help our flooded neighbors in need and 100% of the funds will remain in the Wyoming Valley.

Donate securely now through PayPal - no need for an account! All major credit cards accepted.

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From Wyoming Valley Flood 2011 Facebook Page:

The Cross Valley Federal Credit Union, starting on Monday, all of our branch locations will be accepting donations of cleaning supplies for the American Red Cross. We will also have donation canisters out for those wishing to make a monetary donation to Red Cross. Any support is greatly appreciated! We have locations in Wilkes Barre, Dallas, Forty Fort, Mt Top and Hazleton. For a specific listing of all of our locations you can also visit www.crossvalleyfcu.org. It doesn't matter where we donate - as long as we do. :0) This Valley is capable of doing amazing things!!! Our hearts go out to all those affected.

The West Pittston Public Library is in need of volunteers to assist with their clean-up effort. From what I understand, they started working on the efforts again today (9/11) at 10am. You can offer your services via their Facebook Page: West Pittston Library.

West Pittston Update: When re-entering the borough on Sunday, you must have the proper identification to be let back in. Via: WNEP

Another West Pittston Update: Provided via Amy Hetro on Facebook - Information from West Pittston Borough Council: Anyone physically unable to carry their flood debris from their house to curb side should contact the borough office at 655-7782. The National Guard will assist.

Hot meals will be available from the Corpus Christi Church on Luzerne Ave from 4-7pm Mon-Fri this week. These meals are available for victims, volunteers and first responders.

Also, there will be roving canteens throughout the town serving hot meals this week.

West Pittston Fire Department on Spring Street has some supplies available to its residents affected by the flood. They state they have water, gloves, self-heating meals, hand sanitizer & water available.

A Flood Victim Relief Benefit event page was just created on Facebook.
Here are the details:

Dianes Deli in Pittston and Jane Moser from the band Our Ashes Remain, are holding a benefit on October 22,2011. This benefit is to support the victims of the flood in which Pittston and surrounding areas have suffered. I am extending my hands out for some help to help them! We need gift baskets, gift cards, donations and anything that would be benefitcial to helping people get back on their feet again. So far from what I gather the bands involved are as follows in no particular order: Our Ashes Remain, %Dual Diagnosis%, Purveyor, The Way, dED&BURYd, Aarika Ariel Whittle, E J DeRoy, Casey Jones and more acts to follow. Everyone is welcome and it will most likely be an all day event! Come on everyone, if you ever had a chance to do something nice for someone and backed away, STEP UP AND TAKE THIS CHANCE!

When: Saturday Oct 22 from 2pm until Oct 23 2:00am.
Where: Diane's Deli & Internet Cafe; 206 South Main Street; Pittston PA

From Wyoming Valley Flood 2011 Facebook Page: Marilyn Capolarella Currey posted that she owns a womens consignment shop in West Pittston located in the Insalaco Shopping Center next to the Dunkin Donuts. She reports that they have unsold spring and summer womens clothing ranging from size 0-3x. Anyone in need of clothing is invited to come by the store and take what you need. Store hours are M-F 10am-6pm. They will be there tomorrow, Mon (9/12).

Also, Lisa Villano Mulvey stated that a hot dinner is being served to the residents, volunteers, National Guard and anyone else who is in the town working all week in West Pittston at the Immaculate Conception church on Luzerne Ave. Baked goods (or any food for that matter) would be welcomed if you want to coordinate your efforts with the existing efforts. People will be there cooping in the morning and serving dinner from 4pm to 7pm.

The Hunlock Creek Fire Hall is now a drop off site for cleaning supplies for all of those affected by flooding. If you want to donate, please drop off at the hall....(editors note: however, I do not have specific dates or times that they will be open.) They are specifically requesting the following items: disinfectants (clorox, lysol, etc.), mops, brooms, gloves, buckets, etc.

Excelsior Hose Company in Duryea is collecting cleaning supplies, clothing and anything else you can think of donating to the flood victims of lower Duryea. There are some who have lost everything unexpectedly, since the forecast was not for the Lackawanna River to flood. (Editor's note: I do not have any specific dates or times for these collections). UPDATE - This collection site has been combined with the VFW on Stephenson Street in Duryea. See below.

9/11 Duryea Update: Anyone who has spare cleaning supplies, clothing, basically anything that can be of assistance to flood victims who reside in the lower section of Duryea and is willing to donate them, please bring the items to the VFW on Stephenson Street in Duryea. They are also accepting monetary donations. They will be on site at this location until *Correction*: 9:30pm. They will be on site tomorrow 9/12 as well.

9/12 Duryea Update: The VFW is putting out requests once again for cleaning supplies. They are down to only 10 bottles of Clorox. They have no push brooms, buckets, or mops. They also are requesting squeegees. They are NOT accepting major appliances as they have no room to store them, including microwaves. They are accepting coffee makers, clothes, baby items, childrens' books, etc. They still can use mops and buckets.

More about Duryea: Residents are asked to put trash at the front of their homes for later pickup. Officials in Duryea are also asking residents returning to their homes not to park on Main Street. Park elsewhere and walk to your home. Via: WNEP

TradeMark Realty Group will be collecting any donations like cleaning products, clothing etc. or just anything you could spare and give it to Red-cross or local churches for distribution.
 Our office will be open everyday 9am -5pm and will be available for chat through our website www.TradeMarkRealtyGroup.com if you have questions.

Servpro of Hanover Township has crews out in full force helping people get their lives, homes and businesses back to normal. If you are in need of water damage cleanup and restoration services, our office available 24/7 at (570)-822-4700. Via Their Facebook Page.

West Side All Starz will be a drop off area for donated clothing, blankets, pillows, non perishable foods, bottles of water and cleaning supplies for those who have lost their homes and belongings in the flood. Items can be dropped off starting today 11am-10pm at 545 Charles Street, Luzerne PA 18709. If you are in need of items please email Tammy at tammytbwss@aol.com.

Cub Scout Pack 100 and Plains Soccer are asking for your donations to help our neighbors who have been affected by the recent flooding. DONATIONS OF non-perishable food, cleaning supplies, bleach, mops, paper products, toiletries, towels, linens and clothing of all sizes. DROP OFF at SCOUT HALL, 13 Stocker St, on Sunday from 5-8 PM, Monday from 6-8PM, and Tues from 6-8PM.

The PA Department of Health will be at the PSTI Headquarters building Sunday at 3pm with their mobile unit giving tetanus shots to emergency responders, who have not a shot in 10 years. Please note: This is ONLY FOR FIRST RESPONDERS.

MedExpress in Edwardsville and Wilkes-Barre has Tetanus shots available. Open from 9am to 9pm daily.

Wilkes-Barre General Hospital to offer free tetanus vaccinations, posted on their website on September 16, 2011

As part of its efforts to aid community members affected by the recent flooding and evacuation emergencies, Wilkes-Barre General Hospital will provide free tetanus vaccinations to individuals age 16 and older at two community locations, in West Pittston and Plymouth:

LOCATIONS

1. First United Methodist Church, 408 Wyoming Avenue, West Pittston
2. Plymouth Fire Hall, 451 West Main Street, Plymouth

DATES/TIMES FOR BOTH LOCATIONS

• Saturday, September 17, from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Tuesday, September 20, from 6 – 9 a.m. and 4 - 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 21, from 6 – 9 a.m. and 4 - 7 p.m.
• Saturday, September 24 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Saturday, October 1 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
  

Verizon Wireless has coordinated with the City of Wilkes-Barre to provide a mobile communications center. The Verizon Communications Center is located at 278 S. Sherman Street in Wilkes-Barre and will be open to public beginning Saturday Sept 10 from 10am to 8pm. The facility arrived on site Friday Sept 9., and will remain at this location until at least Tuesday.

Residents of the Port Blanchard section should place refuse at curbside and it will be picked up Monday. Via: WNEP

The Fifth Element Tattoo Gallery located at 318 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, PA will be running a drive to help those in need from the flood. Starting on Monday they will be accepting cleaning products and canned goods, they have separate boxes setup on site for both.

The Luzerne County Courthouse & County offices will be reopening on Monday. Source: Times Leader

The Salvation Army of Wilkes-Barre has some information that you should be aware of, including updated contact information, by reading this article at the Times Leader website.

Salvation Army Flood Recovery Update: Items desperately needed are food, beverages, paper products, and cleaning products. They can be dropped off a the Kidder Street location on Saturday or Sunday. You may drop off at the Penn Ave location Monday. Financial donations can be sent to 17 S. Pennsylvania Ave; Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 or texted to 80888.

Polish Falcons Club (Mocanaqua) Shelter needs almost anything and everything you can think of from food, first aid supplies, water, clean-up supplies, volunteers, etc. They are also requesting medical personal to help for a few victims. The address is 134 Main Rd. in Mocanaqua.

Cherry Street Bible Church (Corner of Church & Cherry Streets in Plymouth) is having a Free Clothing give-away Saturday Sept 17th from 10am to 2pm. Their contact number is 570-779-4838. Their website is www.cherrystreetbiblechurch.com via Plymouth Twp. Fire Rescue Tilbury Station 169.

The American Red Cross Sub Station located across from the Ashley Police Station at 15. N. Main Street, Ashley, is looking for donations. Specifically requesting bottled water, food, clothing, cleaning supplies and cash donations. Checks can be made out to St. Vincent Kitchen or American Red Cross.

The American Red Cross at the N. Sherman Street Wilkes-Barre location will have clean-up kits available starting Monday at 9am. It will be a drive through service and motorists are asked to enter the back of the building on the right side and exit on the left side. Via: WNEP

Rocky & Sue from KRZ just posted this to Facebook: From the Wyoming Mayor Boyer -- Can you help me get the word out about a flood relief program Wyoming Borough is coordinating with all Gerritys Supermarkets and the Wyoming Price Chopper? Customers can purchase cleaning supplies in these stores and donate the items on the spot. The cleaning supplies will then be delivered to the area flood victims. Items needed are bleach, rubber gloves, cleaners, towels, etc. The items are taken out and put to use almost immediately.

LCCC is having a blood drive on Tues, Sept 13 from 9am to 3pm in the Cafeteria on campus. You can learn more about it by visiting the news article posted on their Student Intranet Link.

Harding Residents: (Luzerne County) officials advised to put any trash curb-side but NOT on the street, they are coordinating a pick-up but do not have the day determined yet.

The Sons of the American Legion Mt. Post 781 are sponsoring a Flood Relief Drive effective 9/12/11. Items or cash donation can be dropped off at the American Legion Mt. Post 781 on Church Road in Mt. Top M-F 1pm-9pm and Sat & Sun from 12pm-9pm. Collection Date will be until Sept 26th. For more information call 570-474-2161 or visit the website at www.alpost781.org

Items they are collecting include: Surgical Masks, Latex Gloves, Large Sponges, Scrub Brushes, Bleach, Cleaners, Cleaners w Bleach, Disinfectant, Pine Sol, etc., Hand Sanitizer/Wipes, Broom Heads, Small/Large Mop Heads, Large Black Garbage Bags, Broom Sticks, Garden Gloves, basically anything cleaning related will be extremely helpful!

From the Citizens' Voice: A large truck of cleanup kits just arrived at Tilbury Fire Co. Hall in West Nanticoke. Also, State emergency officials are working to establish mobile disaster recovery centers in four Northeast PA counties by Wednesday. Counties include: Luzerne, Wyoming, Bradford, and Columbia. More on this here.

Thomas' Barbeque 4810 Birney Ave; Moosic is collecting cleaning supplies today to distribute to those in flooded areas. Call 313-0342 for more information. Via @GWBChamber

FROM THE MAILBAG (nepablogs@gmail.com):

Can you please add this to your page.

Clothing distribution to benefit families affected by the flood. Sponsored by Kids Klothes Line & the Keystone Rescue Mission Alliance. To be held at Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church, 237 William St., Pittston, PA. 1-4:00 p.m. All clothing and shoes available free, no income requirements. Donations of clothing accepted. Please email volcor@scrantonrescuemission.com or call Kathy @ 570-871-4795 – Keystone Rescue Mission Alliance.

Kids Klothes Line FB page https://www.facebook.com/#!/kids.klothes.line

Event Page https://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=172219392855824

Kathy Regan
Volunteer Coodinator
Keystone Rescue Mission Alliance Inc.
570-871-4795
www.scrantonrescuemission.com
Befriend us on Facebook!"

From King's College: Please let The Office of Campus Ministry know of any King's family/individual in need of assistance as they recover from the flood. Many people have already been asking how they might be of assistance. We are in the process of determining how best we might help. Please contact Campus Ministry with information at 570-208-5890. To volunteer with recovery efforts, please contact Leann Mazurick at the Shoval Center at 570-208-5810.

Also From King's College: The West Pittston Library suffered severe damage to its holdings in the recent flood. The Education Department is spearheading a drive to collect books to be donated beginning Tuesday, Sept 13. Please bring all books, with the exception of textbooks, including children's books, that you no longer need to one of the collection boxes located in Holy Cross Holl, O'Hara Hall, lobby leading to the Theater, and the McGowan Business School.

You can also bring donations to Woodforest National Bank offices located inside Walmart stores in Hazleton, Pittston and Taylor. Call 655-9379 for more information. Source: Times Leader

K-Mart in Pittston is now accepting donations of clothing, food and cleaning supplies! These supplies will be given to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. There will be a giveaway benefitting flood victims and families Sunday Sept 18th from 1pm to 4pm. If you are unable to deliver donations contact Jessica at 885-6343 and she will assist you with arranging pick-up of the donation.

Autism Behavioral Services is a drop off for donations for flood victims. Hours of drop off are Mon-Thur 8am-4pm and Fri 8am-2pm. They are located at 1122 Wyoming Avenue, Exeter. The main entrance is around the back, just ring the door bell. See Mary Vesloski as she is coordinating the efforts.

Applause Theatre will be in West Pittston collecting. Stop by to drop off donations of cleaning supplies, canned goods, clothing: Sun Sept 18 5-7pm & Mon Sept 19 6-8pm at 234 Wyoming Ave; West Pittston --- Char & Co Salon. They request that you do not call the location that is hosting them.

From Facebook - Cheryl Gressley is an affiliate with a local non-profit "Sons of a Carpenter" based out of the Lehigh Valley. They are looking for churches or individual disabilities to help rebuild from the flood. They will also take individuals with compelling stories. Please feel free to email info@sonsofacarpenter.org for more information. Their website is www.sonsofacarpenter.org

The Wilkes-Barre & Scranton locations of the Tobyhanna Federal Credit Union are collecting donations of cleaning supplies, non perishable items, and gently used clothing. The locations are 880 Schechter Drive in Wilkes-Barre, 315 Franklin Avenue in Scranton. Call 1-866-862-9328 for directions.

UFCW will be collecting cleaning supplies, personal items and cash donations for flood victims at their Wyoming, Kingston, and Hanover branches. Contact Debbie Scott at 570-693-0500x233 for further information.

NEPA Blogger Shannon Nelson (from A Girl's Gotta Spa! Beauty Blog) of is thinking of auctioning off some of her (as she puts it) "bazillion beauty products" to help raise money for the flood victims/Red Cross. I will be sure to pass more details about that along as they become available.

St. Ignatius Church in Kingston is collecting prepared food to help feed those who are cleaning up their homes & businesses in West Pittston and Harding. Prepared food & other donations can be dropped off at St. Ignatius 339 N. Maple Ave: Tuesday 4-6pm in Bergan Hall (two doors down from the church itself) and will be taken to Immaculate Conception/Corpus Christi on Luzerne Ave. in W. Pittston. Wednesday donations will be accepted in St. Ignatius Church basement (Conlon Hall). Prepared foods, snacks, drinks, desserts are all welcome. Their website is: http://www.stignatiuspa.com.

The offices of GEM Riverside Rehabilitation, providers of physical, occupational and speech therapies, will be collecting cleaning supplies for the recent flood victims. The collection will continue through the month. New cleaning supplies can be dropped off at the following GEM Riverside locations: 80 N. Mountain Blvd. (Route 309) in Mountain Top (474-1171); 506 Hazle St. in Wilkes-Barre (270-4366); and 27 Main St. in Dallas (674-2659).

The Luzerne borough hall, as well as the Swoyersville American Legion and Kingston VFW, are accepting personal items needed for flood victims.
Items include toilet paper, soap, deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrushes.
Also needed are flood clean-up items, including latex gloves, scrub brushes, surgical masks, bleach, disinfectants, large sponges, garden gloves, paper towels, bathroom cleaner, mops and brooms.
Items may be dropped off at the Luzerne Borough Building, Academy Street, Luzerne; Swoyersville American Legion, Shoemaker Street, Swoyersville; or the Kingston VFW, Wyoming Avenue, Kingston.
Robert Mericle donates to help flood victims. He has made several of him employees and vehicles available to flooded areas. I learned about this from WNEP.

WYOMING - A donation drop off for all flood victims is underway at the Wyoming Hose Co. No. 2 on 3rd Street in Wyoming. Source: Times Leader

People are in desperate need of the essentials including clothes for men, women, and children; household items such as toiletries, food, diapers, formula, and baby toys. Monetary donations will be accepted as well. Items for pets also are being accepted.
Extended hours for donations are until 9 this evening, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday.
Flood victims are welcome to stop by to receive any supplies they might need to move forward.
First National Bank of Pennsylvania banking offices are acting as collection points for cleaning supplies that will support American Red Cross flood relief efforts.
Today through Friday, residents are invited to join bank employees in collecting the following items most needed by the Red Cross in affected areas: drinking water, bleach and rag mops.
Local branches are located at 120 Highland Park Blvd., Wilkes-Barre Township; 46 S. Mountain Blvd., Mountain Top; 35 E. Main St., Nanticoke; 1 S. Church St., Hazleton; Rittenhouse Place, Route 309, Drums; 2378 State Route 118, Hunlock Creek; and 74 E. Tioga St., Tunkhannock. Call 1-800-555-5455 or visit fnb-online.com for hours and other branches. Source: Times Leader

The Greater Nanticoke Area Trojans football team and the players’ parents will be accepting donations for floods victims at the Nanticoke vs. Meyers football game Friday night (9/23/11).

Items needed are flashlights, batteries, light bulbs, garden hoses, Tylenol, Aleve, aspirin, Neosporin, water, canned food and buckets. Donations will benefit flood victims in the Nanticoke area. For more information visit the website: http://www.gnasd.com
The Wilkes-Barre River Common is looking for volunteers to whip the River Common back into shape for the Children's Chalk Fest to be held on October 1, 2011 from 11am-3pm. Here are the details via WNEP:

To help ready the park, RiverCommon.org organizers are seeking volunteers on the following dates:

• Thursday, September 22nd: 5:30pm-7:30pm.
• Saturday, September 24th: 10am-12pm.
• Sunday, September 25th: 1pm-3pm.

Volunteers are asked to meet recovery organizers at the Market Street Bridge Stairway to the River Common Park, located directly across the street from the former Hotel Sterling (River Street, W-B). Volunteers are encouraged to bring flat shovels, industrial brooms, masks, gloves, water-hose extensions and power-washers.
As advised by public health officials, volunteers are advised to receive a tetanus shot as instructed by their personal physician. Any questions regarding tetanus shots, should be directed to family practitioners.
Lazy Boy Furniture donates more than $200,000 of furniture to the Salvation Army for flood victims. Read the Citizens' Voice article here for more information.
LCCC is making used computers available to students who were affected by the flood. View the details here to see if you qualify for one of these machines.
Northeastern Eye Institute was featured on "Leckey Live" on WNEP this morning with regard to their Flood Relief Program. Details here. Basically, if you have been affected by the flood, you may be entitled to free replacement contact lenses or glasses.
Salon owner cuts to the chase with her donations (article by Times Leader). Christina Freeman of Ciao Bella Salon and Studio is accepting donations of clothes and toiletries to distribute to flood victims in Shickshinny. Donations can be made through the Ciao Bella Salon and Studio, 41 Oxford St., Suite A, Hanover Township. Freeman can be reached at the shop at 824-4152.


Attention Wyoming County residents! This information is for you --

Interfaith Friends has a list of available furniture and larger items available for free to those affected by the floods. If you need furniture, baby items, clothes or anything Interfaith Friends has, you may stop by during business hours. ALL items are given at NO CHARGE to anyone affected by the flood. Their contact # 570-836-2428.

The Cub Scout Pack 518 of Tunkhannock are collecting donations to give to flood victims. So far they have clothing, toys, games, paper products, personal care items and backpacks. However, I'm not sure of how to get in touch with them.

P & G has a diaper booth setup in the Tunkhannock Wal-Mart parking lot. They will be there Saturday (9/10) from 6pm to 9pm. They will then be set up Sunday (9/11) through Friday (9/16) from 7am to 7pm.

All information for Wyoming County was found via the American Red Cross of Wyoming County's Facebook page.

Via Ryan Leckey's Facebook Page: Donations can be dropped off for Falls (Wyoming county) flood victims at the Lake Winola Volunteer Fire Company (which is actually right near the post office in Falls). They are looking for clothing, non perishable food items, toiletries, pet foods or even cash/checks. All contributions greatly appreciated. If anyone needs help finding the fire company, they can ask at the post office which is right at the Falls bridge. Thank you!

The Laceyville Goodwill Fire Company is reporting that they received a large amount of food and supplies from the Wyoming County United Way at the Laceyville Fire Hall. They have baby food, diapers, baby wipes, baby bottles, toiletries including: deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand soap, hand sanitizer, bananas, cereal, pasta, peanut butter, yogurt, fruit cups, capri suns, bread, sunny delite, granola, pudding and etc. There are also clothes available. If you affected by flooding in the Laceyville area, please stop down at the fire hall. They are also accepting donations of all types, but especially looking for small appliances (such as microwaves) and cleaning supplies.

The Tide Loads of Hope Program has made a visit to Wyoming County courtesy of P&G. WNEP reports that The Tide truck will remain in WalMart's parking lot near Tunkhannock through the end of Monday. Click here to view the article.

Our10.org - Our10.org was founded on September 16th, 2011 in response to heavy flooding damage caused by Hurricane Irene in North Eastern PA. It is our hope that both flood survivors and those not affected by flooding will be able to better connect with each other to address the needs of survivors in starting the process of rebuilding their lives. **Read our blog post about it here.

Via the Mailbag: Jacqueline Thompson wrote to us

"I am the founder of People in Need, a non-profit group helping out flood victims. We are in need items for our donation site site located on Rt. 92S 2.5 miles past Dunkin Donuts in Tunkhannock. Many families are in need right now from the flood. If you are willing to donate please contact me @ 996-0754 or 996-3019 or via mail at Jackiepa64@hotmail.com. Thank You for your time. "

You can visit the Wyoming County People in Need Facebook Group by clicking here.


Lackawanna County --

Several Red Cross blood drives have been scheduled. There is one today (9/11) at the American Legion Raymond Henry Post 327, 101 Willow Ave, Olyphant from 10am to 3pm. Monday (9/12) at CMC, Mulberry Street, Scranton from 12pm to 4pm. More blood drive information including additional dates and locations can be obtained by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS


Columbia County / Sullivan County / Central PA --

(All information obtained via the Y 106.5 Facebook page)

Free Childcare for residents who were affected by the recent floods in our area and to those who are helping with the clean up efforts. Childcare service provided by Chrissy Van Hoover and Jennifer Devine Arbogast and other childcare providers and volunteers at Wesley United Methodist Church in Selinsgrove from 11:30-5pm Sunday Sept 11th.

Y 106.5 FM is taking American Red Cross Donations now and throughout the weekend at their Sunbury Motors Studios in the Susquehanna Valley Mall. Donate now for your friends, neighbors and community. Their webpage is http://www.y106.fm, also, you should check out the flood information page there, it sums up everything going on (school closings, road closings, where to report damage) in one shot. Click here to view that.

Century 21 Mertz and Assoc; 299 Mill Street Danville (next to BJ Ribs) is organizing a collection of items for disbursement to local shelters, the Red Cross and Salvation Army. They are specifically looking for donations of cleaning supplies, canned food, adult & children's clothing as well as monetary donations.

Bloomsburg Fair Association is requesting volunteers. They are in need of volunteers to help with the clean up efforts at the fairgrounds. Flood waters hit the fairgrounds at an all time high. With the fair starting at the end of the month, they don't have much time to recover. The fair is scheduled to being on September 24, 2011. Currently they have no phone service, so please no phone calls. Basically, if you can help, just show up. The fairgrounds are located at 620 West Third Street; Bloomsburg, PA 17815.

UPDATE ABOUT THE BLOOMSBURG FAIR: If you haven't already heard by now, the Bloomsburg Fair has been cancelled for the first time in 156 years! We at NEPA Blogs are devastated to learn this news. However, we know that the fair will be back bigger and better next year. Source: WNEP

Helping Neighbors - Bloomsburg 2011 Facebook Page is a great resource for getting information.

Again, from Ryan Leckey's Facebook page: Our Lady of Lourdes Church on Walnut street in Montoursville is taking collections. They are in need of shovels, toiletries, cleaning supplies.

Jeremy Deebel from WBRE is reporting that Agape Ministries in the Bloomsburg area is collecting clothes, cleaning supplies and helping to organize volunteer efforts. They are located across from the Children's Museum. They are actively working with the Red Cross and other agencies.

The Red Cross in the Bloomsburg area has also stated that Wesley United Methodist Church and a church in Lighstreet (Editor's note: I don't have a name...sorry) are both collecting clothing and cleaning supplies.

The Greater Berwick Red Cross is giving out free clean up kits. People can pick them up at the Red Cross in Berwick between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The last day for flood debris pick-up was 10/03/11 - according to WNEP.


Northern Tier --

I'm sorry, I've not been trying to ignore you all in the affected areas up north, I just do not have the contacts up in that region to pass along any donation drives or volunteer needs. I did come across this Facebook Page: SRBC Neighbors Helping Neighbors which seems to be spreading a wealth of information about the region. If you have any additional submissions or tips, please be sure to pass them along so I can post them.

Bradford County Flood Facebook Page has information for those residents affected in that area.

Binghamton, NY reached out via Facebook to us to let us know they have also setup a Facebook page similar to Bradford County and others previously posted. If you have friends or relatives up in that area that need assistance, please visit the page here.

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Politician's Repsonse:

HAZLETON – Rep. Lou Barletta, PA-11, announced the establishment of several Constituent Recovery Centers – places where his staff members will be to help people who have questions with the federal disaster assistance procedures.

Beginning Monday morning at 10:15 a.m., members of Rep. Barletta’s staff will be on hand to talk with residents, business owners, and elected officials to answer questions about the federal response to the historic flooding of the Susquehanna River.

Rep. Barletta’s Constituent Recovery Centers will be at:

•Duryea Borough Building, 315 Main Street, Duryea
•West Pittston Police Department/Borough Building, 555 Exeter Avenue, West Pittston
•Bloomsburg Office of State Rep. David Millard, 605 West Main Street, Bloomsburg
•Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry office, 2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre (for business inquiries)
Future hours of the Constituent Recovery Centers will be announced.

[Snipped]

Via Gort42's blog.

Update: 9/12/11
Gort now has Flood Advice posted from State Rep. Phyllis Mundy. Click here to view it.

Joe Biden is expected to visit the region on Friday to assess flood damage. Source: Times Leader

Update: 9/14/11
US Rep Tom Marion wants a federal hearing on the flood.

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Towing Services: Also, LAG will conduct free tows for any vehicles trapped in flooded water or need to be taken to higher ground from the flood areas in coordination with the city. Contact 570-208-4152 to request service. Source, WBRE.

Photography Services: Top of the Mountain Photography by Bridget Banik is offering to take flood damage pictures free of charge to anyone who may have lost their camera/electronics in the flood. You can contact her via her Facebook page or call 570-417-6330. Also, according to the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce's twitter account, Patrick Gensel, freelance photographer and NEPA Blogger is willing to help as well, please contact him through his website at http://patrickgensel.com.

ALSO - From the mailbox: ShadowCatcher Ltd. Photography is offering to all flood victims who do not have access to a camera, FREE photos of their properties for Insurance and FEMA Claims. Call Lori at (570) 270-9300.

Computer Services: Alex Sergay (asergay@gmail.com) has volunteered to help with computer issues for those affected by the flood. "Hard drives that get flooded can be recovered, but you have to keep them wet so they don't rust and ship them right away to a recovery place. They say not to start a flooded drive yourself, since it could damage it." Also, Staples has offered to help businesses in flooded areas including office supplies, furniture, toner, printer and IT products. Contact David Kanavich (david.kanavich@staples.com)

Source: GWB Chamber of Commerce Facebook.

Pet/Animal Information: Please contact the SPCA of Luzerne County if your has been lost. In Luzerne County, stray animals are taken to the facility when they are found within county boundaries. Contact them at 570-825-4111 and they will take a "lost" report and cross match it with any reports they get of found animals or with animals that have been brought in as strays. More information can be found on their website: http://www.spcaluzernecounty.org

Update ~ There is now a Facebook page for the lost and found pets of the Sept 2011 flood. Click here to view it.

Road Closure Information: Available via 511PA which is updated via PENNDOT. You can also dial 511 to get the same information via phone. Editors note @ 5:05pm: I'm hearing that 511's information may not be up-to-date. I suggest following these websites road closure lists as well:

• WNEP Road Closure List
• WILK Road Closure List
• Y106.5 Road Closure List
• TL Road Closure List
• District 4-0 PENNDOT Travel Advisories
  

While most of these links contain the same information, I'm including them all in case one is more of a comprehensive list than the other or is updated more frequently, etc.

City Transportation: It appears that LCTA is back to its normal schedule as of Monday 9/12/11. You can view http://www.lctabus.com for more information.

School Closures:

• WBRE's School Closing List
• WNEP's School Closing List

Health Care Facilities:

• Click here to read an updated statement on Wyoming Valley Health Care System facility openings/closures. WVHCS has a display of helpful hints and safety issues for anyone involved in the cleanup after the flood. There is information on mold, HVAC, bleach, air quality etc in the Health Resource Center off of the main lobby in the hospital.
  
• Click here to read and updated statement on Geisinger Wyoming Valley's openings/closures. They are offering valuable information about health risks after the flood here.
  

Utility Questions:

A lot of questions have been coming through about whether or not the power is on in a certain section of the city, also if the gas is turned on/off and if there are boil water advisories. I cannot speak to every individual section of the county that you may live in. It is best to call your Utility Company with these questions.

Reporting Damage: If your property was affected, report to your municipality, document, photograph, clean, report to Insurance Company, All Utilities. If you need other assistance or have questions, go to the Red Cross. They are experts in referrals and assistance.

"The #1 thing that you need to do as you cleanup your business is DOCUMENT everything. If you throw out anything at ALL or have to buy anything keep receipts...Take a lot of pictures. We need to be able to declare a value on things lost in order to facilitate federal aid." - Mike Shay from Congressman Barletta's Office

FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers opened today according to WNEP. The centers are open from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, then Thursday, september 15 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily going forward. Click here to view the list of centers.

Here's an article that WNEP just posted about What FEMA will do for flood victims. I found informative.

Among some of the things they assist with:

• Two months rent
• Low-interest loans, not payouts, but loans of up to $200,000
• Up to $32,000 in a straight payout to home owners who qualify

Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available according to the Times Leader. Click here to read more about it.

DEP Advisories: State issues warnings about floodwater contamination - a must read if you are participating in any cleanup activity. http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/newsroom/14287?id=18603&typeid=1

Mail Delivery: Don't be surprised if you receive mail on Sunday....YES, I said SUNDAY. The postal service is attempting to resume service to the areas it missed due to the mandatory evacuation and flooding. Source: Times Leader

This is just the beginning of the list, I've read about several dozen smaller communities, churches and businesses taking up collections for the victims. If you know of any, please feel free to post in the comments, or hit us up on Facebook to let us know. I would like to get as much information in this post as possible for the victims and will continue to update as more information becomes available.

Oh and by the way, Harold & I were made administrators of the Wyoming Valley Flood 2011 Facebook page which has grown to 6,547 likes as of this post. It has served as a information portal for questions about evacuations, road closures, and donation collection points, etc., etc., etc. Please feel free to follow it if you are in need of any of that information. We would like to thank Karla Porter for her efforts in creating this page. It has helped several people get the information that they needed in this crisis.

Edited to say: If you are questioning any of the information you are hearing online or otherwise, it is recommended to contact the Luzerne County Rumor control hotline at 800-821-3716. UPDATE @ 6pm: The EMA rumor control hotline is closing as of 6pm tonight. Source: Times Leader

~M