The Giving Circle Coming to Sidney

Work Trip to Sidney NY – (125 mi SW of Saratoga Springs, NY)

8/10 - Link to Pictures of Trip to Sidney
http://www.thegivingcircle.org/sidney.htm
We saw some familiar sites – FEMA trailers, Muddy debris, gutted homes. People who have lost everything.

First stop- We had the pleasure of meeting Leslie from Katrina Networking, who is working hard to connect people who are helping in Hancock County. Thanks for making the drive to meet us Leslie :) Here we dropped off donations (had Mark’s pickup truck, my van & an SUV packed with stuff), then on to our first “assignment” which was to remove mud from a basement. The home we went to was resting precariously on cinderblocks, and being held up by 2’ x 8’s . The foundation, along with the paved driveway, had washed out from under it. It did not look structurally safe to enter, let alone be underneath, so we made the decision to leave it to professionals & moved on to #2. At the second home we cleared yard debris for a lovely woman named Marilyn. She lost all but a few belongings and her home suffered severe damage. She has just received her FEMA trailer which is parked next to her home. The third home was another mud removal job. The house had no electricity and the basement was almost completely dark except for a bit of light coming through the small windows, and was filled with thick stinky mud. We cleared mud out from the outside of the basement windows and Mark & Ron M scooped up buckets of mud that they ferried to us through the windows.

Our last stop was for ice cream. Which I wouldn’t necessarily mention, except that while we were there a man saw our (now very muddy) Giving Circle T-shirts and asked if we were from Waveland. He was visiting NY from Hancock County. We told him about The Giving Circle and he thanked us & said he is getting close to being able to move back in to his home thanks to all the VOLUNTEERS who have helped him rebuild. Small World.....

So go check out the pictures! It was a sticky, muddy but worthwhile day.

Sharon
Sunday August 6

We will be helping to clean out homes - Mud and debris removal, general clean-up.
Please bring work gloves, boots. Buckets and shovels are also helpful. Pack a lunch & bottled water. A day-trip is planned, but accommodations (cots) are available at the City Hall for those who wish to stay longer.

MEET IN SIDNEY AT 11 am
We will meet at the old K-Mart,171 Delaware Ave., Sidney, which is now being used as a distribution center for donations.

DIRECTIONS - MAP

From I – 88 West - Take Exit 9 to Route 7, Turn LEFT on Route 7, go 3 miles, at first light turn LEFT onto Route 8, go two lights then turn RIGHT onto Delaware Ave. The KMART is behind McDonalds at 171 Delaware Ave.

From I – 88 East - Take Exit 9- toward SIDNEY / UTICA (RT-8 N), Turn LEFT onto NY-8 N, Turn LEFT onto Delaware Ave, End at Kmart 171 Delaware Ave

Please contact us at info@thegvingcircle.org if you will be joining us, or with questions!

Many towns in New York's Southern Tier region have suffered tremendous damage from recent floods. Although The Giving Circle’s focus is currently Katrina ravaged Waveland, MS, when disaster hit so close to home we felt the need to respond.

I met these folks through my work for Hancock County, MS, and when the flooding hit us, they contacted me almost instantly, asking what they could do. As we all know, it takes a few weeks to really know what is needed and where, AND to get the roads in good enough shape to have outside groups come in and assist.

Since Broome County has more resources than Delaware County, AND the fact The Giving Circle would have to drive through Delaware County, I asked them to assist there. They found some contact information, and are going to Sidney for the day on August 6. Once they are established and see exactly what is needed, I would bet they will be back - it's a short commute and man power is one of the most needed items right now.

They are a great group! And I hope to get to Sidney to meet them!

L

For more complete information on flood relief in the 5 county area: http://binghamtonfloodrelief.blogspot.com/2006/07/index.html

8/7 - I did get to meet them and WOW what a great group of folks! Very much a family affair, along with many friends, they came to Sidney with every vehicle full of both people and items to be donated. WOW Their generosity and heart go beyond anything I can imagine.

We were lucky in that the detour for the washed-out bridge was the exit we had to take. They weren't so lucky and got a wee bit lost in the shuffle of the detour. But, they made it, the sent to the distribution center and then got to work. If I had been able, I'd have been right along side them. As it is, even today, I'm still feeling the affects. But - someday! I'll get there someday.