How to donate locally to Hurricane Harvey victims
Several Delmarva organizations are doing their part to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey, including sending trucks down to deliver aid first hand.
Ocean City
Ocean City officials say the town is supporting charities located in the areas hit by Hurricane Harvey.
Town of Ocean City employees and community members who wish to donate to a local charity in the wake of Hurricane Harvey are asked to consider these organizations: The Salvation Army (http://salvationarmyhouston.org/) and the Houston SPCA (http://www.houstonspca.org/).
“It is heart wrenching to see the photographs and read the stories of victims and aside from offering our prayers to the victims and first responders, we are also working on ways to provide assistance that will offer an immediate and effective impact,” said Mayor Rick Meehan.
Ocean City Emergency Services Director Joseph Theobald is also preparing personnel to assist with recovery efforts if needed.
“We are currently putting together a request for volunteers to assist Houston and the surrounding areas in the wake of Hurricane Harvey,” said Theobald.
“We work very closely with the State and officials at the Maryland Emergency Management Association to coordinate assistance where it is most needed. It is important to remember that recovery in these areas will last for months, if not years, and we are preparing to help them as much as possible.”
Ocean Pines
The Ocean Pines Home Owners Association is starting a disaster relief effort. The collection effort starts Tuesday, Sept. 5, and lasts through Wednesday, Sept. 13, at 5 p.m.
Drop off points will include the Ocean Pines Community Center at 235 Ocean Parkway, Public Works at 1 Firehouse Lane, Sports Core Pool at 11144 Cathell Road and the Administration Building, including the Police Department, at 239 Ocean Parkway. The Police Department can pick up items. To schedule a four hour pick-up window, call 410-641-7747.
Suggested items are: powdered drink mixes like Crystal Light, Gatorade, coffee, granola bars, crackers, energy bars, nonperishable microwaveable food, canned fruit and nuts, games and playing cards, mops, brooms, Lysol, dog and cat food, pet treats, cat litter and books. Other needed items are toiletries like toilet tissue, Tums, toothpaste and toothbrushes, hand sanitizers, hand towels, emery boards, nail clippers, foot powder, talcum powder, body lotion, ChapStick, deodorant, diapers, baby bottles, baby food and baby formula and more. Please do not donate liquids or perishable items.
Barbely's Transport from Newark, Maryland, has volunteered to drive the tractor trailer load to a designated location in Texas. Martin Fish Co. of Ocean City, Sysco of Pocomoke City, ABC printers of West Ocean City and Magee Farms of Selbyville have donated the shipping and collection boxes.
Donations will benefit Irving Cares, an emergency assistance nonprofit organization and shelter for displaced families in Texas.
For more information about the Ocean Pines Coastal Community Relief Effort, call 410-641-7717 or email info@oceanpines.org.
City of Crisfield
The city will accept donations on its website, www.cityofcrisfield-md.gov, through Sept. 30.
Funds raised weekend will be split between the two groups that stayed the longest to help with Crisfield’s rebuilding effort: United Methodist Committee On Relief and Lutheran Disaster Response.
At the 70th annual National Hard Crab Derby on Friday, Sept. 1, the Crisfield Area Chamber of Commerce and other groups solicited donations for Hurricane Harvey relief efforts in Texas as a way to say thanks.
Crisfield Wesleyan Church taking donations
Crisfield Wesleyan Church is taking donations for victims of Hurricane Harvey.
For more information, call the Rev. Daniels at 410-968-2628.
Friends of Crisfield sending supplies
The Friends of Crisfield are accepting canned food products, water, hygiene products and other supplies to send to hurricane victims, but no clothes.
Truck from Hurlock
Joyce Spratt, the mayor of Hurlock, said in a Facebook post that her town is accepting donations to be trucked to Texas. Spratt said donations will be accepted at the Hurlock town office on 311 Charles St., and the truck is scheduled to leave in roughly a week's time.
Items needed include pillows, sheets and blankets, feminine hygiene items, pet food and beds.
Call (410) 943-4181 for more info.
Blood Bank urges donations
The Blood Bank of Delmarva is urging residents to donate blood in order to meet the urgent requests from Texas blood blanks in the wake of the hurricane. People with O Positive, O Negative, A Negative and B Negative blood types are asked to make a donation this week. The organization is also in need of platelet donors.
Call 1-888-8-BLOOD-8 or go to donate.bbd.org to book an appointment.
The storm made landfall Friday as a Category 4 hurricane. Federal Emergency Management Agency officials estimate 30,000 people could need shelter due to the more than 30 inches of rain and heavy flooding. Houston police have rescued more than 2,000 people trapped by the water.
The rain is expected to continue throughout the week, according to the National Weather Service.
Want to let us know about your organization's donation efforts? Email newshub@delmarvanow.com.
Community Foundation: 100 percent of funds to those in need
The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore says it's activated its Disaster Relief Fund to assist those affected by Hurricane Harvey. The foundation will match the first $5,000 in donations to this emergency fund.
The foundation said 100 percent of the contributions to the Community Foundation’s “Disaster Relief Fund” will be directed to the Greater Houston Community Foundation’s Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund for long term recovery efforts.
“As the magnitude of the catastrophe confronting Texas and the Gulf coastal region unfolds, it is clear that a sustained relief effort will be required to assist survivors and their communities,” said Erica Joseph, CFES President. “We last utilized our Disaster Relief efforts in response to local needs from Superstorm Sandy and saw firsthand the generosity from those outside our region.”
PERSPECTIVE: After a disaster, all donations are not equal
“Living in an area vulnerable to storms, many of our own communities and citizens know too well the devastation of flooding. We hope the contributions to this fund will allow the Lower Shore to spread its philanthropic spirit to our Gulf Coast neighbors."
Contributions should be mailed to: Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, Disaster Relief Fund, 1324 Belmont Avenue, Suite 401, Salisbury, MD 21804 or online at www.cfes.org/donate.
Joshua House filling a truck for Texas
Joshua House Ministries Church in Gumboro is accepting nonperishable items and toiletries along with small toys for the hurricane victims in Texas.
Drop-off locations:
Joshua House Ministries
Pastor Chuck Reynolds
38140 Millsboro Hwy
Millsboro DE 19966
Gumboro Wesleyan Church
Pastor Eddie Daniels
36482 Millsboro Hwy
Millsboro DE 19966
Gumboro Community Center
36849 Millsboro Hwy.
Millsboro, DE 19966
Joshua House says it will collect donations until its two trucks are filled.
For more info, contact Pastor Chuck Reynolds at 443-359-1036.
Millville Volunteer Fire Co. collection drop offs
UPDATE: No longer accepting donations after reaching maximum capacity.
News Journal reporter Meredith Newman contributed to this story.