Local Hurricane Relief Efforts Underway
OTSEGO COUNTY—In the wake of Hurricane Helene, and as Hurricane Milton continues to devastate the east coast of Florida, a number of community organizations, businesses, and private individuals are planning relief efforts to assist the victims of these storms.
Dennis Brothers Racing, out of Hartwick, is working with Rudy’s Wine and Liquor (Cooperstown), Pathfinder Village (Edmeston), NBT Bank (Cooperstown and Hartwick Seminary), Laurens Central School (Laurens)—along with Nimey’s New Generation Cars, Matt Nimey GMC, NextGen Car Care LLC, and Winn’s Automotive Sales and Service—to collect donations for hurricane victims. Two trailers will head south on Friday, October 11 to a church within 20 minutes of Chimney Rock, North Carolina and other areas hard hit by the storms. Dustin Dennis and wife, Megan, organizers of this effort, will be loading the Dennis Brothers race trailer at Cooperstown Central School on Friday morning from 9 a.m. to noon. Dustin Dennis said any volunteer assistance on Friday to help load the truck would be greatly appreciated. A tractor trailer carrying additional supplies is set to head down south from New Generation Cars on Friday, October 18.
Items currently most needed are non-perishable food, cold-weather gear of all sizes and bleach/cleaning supplies. Other supplies that are needed include bottled water, wipes, baby formula, hand sanitizer, paper towels, toilet paper, batteries, flashlights, first aid supplies, feminine hygiene products, personal hygiene products and toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc.), trash bags (contractor size preferred), tarps, blankets, towels, shovels, brooms, coolers, gloves, generators, propane, gas, cook stoves, candles, matches, lighters, charcoal and pet food (dried or canned). Items should be dropped at the above locations by Thursday evening, October 10.
Those interested in donating are asked to please refrain from clothes and perishable foods, as most donation sites are not taking them at this time. Monetary donations to help cover transport costs are appreciated. Visit https://www.facebook.com/logan.dennis.3388 for updates.
Friends of the Feral TNR is collecting dog and cat food, both dry and canned, for transport. The truck is leaving Friday, October 11. Contact Traci Dilello for drop-off and pick-up information.
Tickled Pink BBQ, along with Hartwick Fire Department Company #2, is assisting the community of Poplar, North Carolina. They will be leaving Sunday, October 13 to serve food for five days to this hard-hit community. Anyone wishing to assist can make monetary donations by check (made out to Hartwick Fire Department Co. #2), or make donations of food at Whisperin’ Pines Chalet B&B, 4128 County Highway 11, Cooperstown. Contact (607) 267-1103 or e-mail doucasc@hfd2.org for information or to arrange a donation. Visit https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071529502985 for more information.
Bob’s Country Store, 102 State Hwy 165, Roseboom is accepting donations toward hurricane relief efforts during regular business hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Call (607) 264-3007 or visit https://www.facebook.com/BobCountystoreroseboom.
Others organizing hurricane relief efforts locally are encouraged to send information to info@allotsego.com. Iron String Press will circulate this information with its readers via “The Freeman’s Journal,” “Hometown Oneonta,” AllOtsego.com and on Facebook.