Giving And Getting Help

There is still a lot of help available around town for residents in need and volunteer opportunities for those of you who are able to help your neighbors.
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- FEMA - For those still needing help from FEMA I am told that at this point the agency is no longer operating out of Belleayre. There is a location in Kingston at the Business Resource Center on Ulster Avenue. The only services at Belleayre at this point are clothing distribution and the food pantry. I am not sure how long that will continue to be available there so try and check before you go up.

FEMA recommends that individuals seeking assistance from the center register before visiting. Call the FEMA hot line at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For those with speech or hearing disabilities, use the TTY number, 800-462-7585. Applicants can also register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or with any PDA device at m.fema.gov.

Information needed when registering with FEMA includes the address of the damaged property, names of those living in the household, a general description of the damage, the Social Security account number of any family member living in the home, the extent of insurance coverage and certain other information needed to expedite the process.

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- Phoenicia Fire House - The firehouse is still command central in town so if you have problems or questions you can call them at 688-7315. Both the firehouse and the Rotary Club on Main St have clean up supplies for people who need them.
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- Clothing - Blankets and Other Donated Goods

The Methodist Church is the central location for clothing and household items. I am not sure whether donated goods are still needed. Please check with the Phoenicia United Methodist Church, 29 Church St., before bringing items to them. They have received a lot of donations.

They are open this week every day from 10-4 to distribute to anyone in need, clothes, toys, non-perishable food items, toiletries, linens, blankets, sheets and more.

Keep in mind, for folks displaced from their homes, they may not be ready yet to take in anything until they find a new place to live. So if you have goods to donate and the church can't take them now check back in a week or two to see if they might need them then.

For furniture - The Rotary is keeping a list of who has furniture to donate, and which folks need furniture.
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- Food

The Shandaken Food Pantry will be open every day from 11am-3pm until further notice. If you need food you can get it from them. They are located at the Methodist Church. Donations of non-perishable food and toiletries are welcome. They could also use pet food, especially dry.
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- Volunteers Needed Still Needed

Volunteers are needed in Phoenicia tomorrow to continue the post-Irene cleanup. This is mucky work. Wear boots, bring work gloves. Masks, shovels and brooms will be provided. Sign-up at the Phoenicia Rotary table at 9am (or thereafter) in the middle of Phoenicia at "Mama's Boy." PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD. Or call Rotary President, Ken Jacobs at 688-5944.

You can also help out at the Methodist Church. They are open from 10-4 every day and could use people to assist residents in finding the right clothing types and sizes.

And remember all these volunteer hours are logged and submitted to FEMA for reimbursement to the town. So your efforts help in that way too.
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- Holistic Clinic

If you are in need of some TLC (Tender Loving Care) to help restore you -- then this clinic should be of great help.

The Hurricane Irene Holistic Outreach Clinic will take place for the next 4 Sundays (9/11-10/2) from 3-6pm at Parish Hall in Phoenicia. There is no fee for treatments. No appointments required. There will be a mix of different practitioners each Sunday including but not limited to massage, chiropractic, acupuncture, homeopathy, EFT, reiki, matrix energetics, Shambala energy healing, and more.
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- Stream Management

There is a meeting tomorrow, Saturday, September 10th at 9:30 am at Copperhood Spa, 7039 Rte. 28, Phoenicia, to talk about managing our area rivers/streams. Please attend if you'd like to have your voice weigh in on how we better manage our streams to avoid flooding. If you can't attend, but want to be involved let Elizabeth Winograd know at 688-2460 x0.
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- Monetary Donations

The Rotary Club has a relief fund. If you would like to donate you can stop by the booth in town at Mama's Boy or send a check to:

Rotary Relief Fund
PO Box 660
Phoenicia, NY
12464

Please write the word Flood in the memo line on the lower left hand corner so they know how to direct your donation.

There is also a fundraiser tonight for the Rotary Relief Fund at the pavilion at Al's restaurant. Buy a ticket and support the relief effort!
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Everyone in this town has been incredible!! The outpouring of help and support is terrific. If we keep the efforts up our town will be back to normal in no time!!
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The video below was made by Karen Milosky documenting the relief efforts: