It’s been more than a half-year since Hurricane Irene wrought devastation in Schoharie County, but one local church is still working to provide for those in need there.
The Bethlehem Lutheran Church will be collecting building supplies and monetary donations on Saturday, April 21, as part of a community outreach project called “Help Rebuild Schoharie.” All of the money and building supplies will be used by volunteers to help rebuild the homes and businesses of those who are still waiting for aid.
“We have groups from our church who have designated dates where they post people to go down and do work within homes for those in need, but this is a separate project,” said MaryAnn Licht, the Community Care chairwoman for the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. “This effort is geared to make people aware there is a great need for donations in Schoharie and a lot of people are still not in their home.”
All of the donations will be given to Schoharie Recovery Incorporated for its volunteer program. The group is a “neighbor-to-neighbor effort to match volunteers from all over the state and the nation to the needs of rebuilding homes, businesses and lives in the communities of Schoharie, Gallupville, Central Bridge and Esperance.”
Monetary donations will be accepted from those who are unable to purchase building supplies to donate. The group is looking for paint rollers and trays, cordless drills and batteries, battery operated smoke detectors, insulation, ladders and wheelbarrows. Licht said the group also desperately needs dry wall sheets and the associated supplies needed to hang them.
“Also, if somebody would want to order the drywall sheets themselves, they can and we can pick them up or have it delivered to the appropriate place,” said Licht.
The church will have a large truck on site to transport all of the donated supplies. There will be volunteers available to unload cars and load them onto the truck. The church will then deliver the supplies the same day to Schoharie Recovery.
“This project will allow people the opportunity to give to the efforts even if they can’t go down there or physically help the residents themselves,” said Licht. “This is to raise awareness and give back.”
A full list of needed supplies can be found at the church website, www.blcdelmar.com. Local hardware stores Phillips Hardware, Olsen’s Hardware and Curtis Lumber also have this information posted at their stores. To donate directly to the recovery effort, visit www.schoharierecovery.org.
“This is a great and easy way for our community to give back to those in need and show support,” said Licht.
Donations can be brought to Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Saturday, April 21, at 85 Elm Avenue, Delmar from 8 a.m. to noon.
