Community offers help to its own
By Kevin Schnepp Staff writer

In the aftermath of last week's major flooding, local churches, organizations, individuals and schools have offered relief to those in need.

The Deacon's Closet, a clothing and consignment store in the basement of Delphi First Presbyterian Church on Indiana Street across from the library, will be open extended hours, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The store will also be open this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Pastor Bill McLean said the community responded generously to help stock the store with items for the flood victims.

"People are mucking around out there," McLean said. "They need stuff to muck around in."

Disaster relief also came from Elmwood Church of Christ in the form of two semi loads of supplies, including food, baby items, water, blankets, hygiene products and cleaning supplies. The items were sent from the church's disaster relief headquarters in Nashville, Tenn. The supplies are being distributed by the Red Cross at the Camp Tecumseh Equestrian Center on Springboro Road.

Delphi Wesleyan Church is selling pizzas to raise money for flood relief. Pizzas are $10 each with a choice of sausage, pepperoni, cheese, or a combination of sausage and pepperoni. Pre-payment is required. All proceeds will go to disaster relief.

The church will call those who placed an order to inform them of when the pizzas will be ready. Purchasers can take the fresh pizzas home and cook them that day or freeze them for later use.

To place an order, call Charles Fife at (765) 564- 6112, the church parsonage at 564-2926, or mail your order along with a check payable to Delphi Wesleyan Church to: 501 N. Washington St., Delphi, IN 46923.

Delphi Lions Club received a $10,000 grant from its international foundation to assist flood victims in Carroll, White and Tippecanoe counties. President Darrel Noonkester said he distributed vouchers that can be used for food, medical products and baby items. Call Noonkester at (765) 564-2409 or 564-6077 for information.

A free clothing and supplies site established in the parking lot of Oakdale Inn off US421 will be open at least through Sunday. The site serves as a drop-off for those with items to give and a pick-up point for those in need.

The Salvation Army has expanded its service programs to address the needs of affected families and individuals. The Indiana Division January 2008 Flood Relief Program will support victims in Carroll, Jasper, Newton, Wabash and White counties.

Assistance from the Salvation Army will be provided in the following amounts on a one-time basis only:

• Food - $30 per individual in the household;

• Clothing - $30 per individual in the household; and

• General household needs - $50 per household.

Carroll County residents who would like to request assistance should call Vicki Setzer or Kim Widner at (765) 564-6105. Those not in Carroll County can call (800) 589-1037 for their county's contact information.

Students at Delphi Community High School took charge and volunteered their time to help their classmates in need.

The Student Flood Relief Committee is made up of club and student organization presidents and representatives of DCHS. Delphi High School staff served as sponsors for this committee.

The committee's first plan was to spread donation cans out to local businesses to get community involvement. Secondly, they created a list of supplies needed by families and their own supply list.

On Jan. 11 and 12, DCHS hosted the White County Tournament. Student Flood Relief Committee collected donations before and during all four games. After the championship game Saturday night, DCHS hosted the Student Flood Relief Committee Dance. The students raised a total of $1,300 in two nights. All proceeds from the dance and donations from the games were divided among North White, Tri- County, and DCHS and will be distributed among students in those schools affected by the flood.

Students volunteered for cleanup crews and to help families in need.

How can you help? Delphi Community High School is currently accepting clothing, cleaning supplies, and any other form of donations for the students and families in need. Flood victims are also still in need of socks, rubber boots, rubber gloves, and other work necessities. Also, watch for donation cans in local businesses, each penny counts!