Flood relief - get help or give it
By Kevin Schnepp Staff writer

Several area churches, businesses and organizations are still collecting donations and offering supplies to flood victims. The aid received by those who suffered losses was made possible because Carroll and surrounding counties' citizens showed they care through action.

Community members who are offering help realize many who lost their homes may or may not have a place to put things yet. In either case, the community encourages those who need help to accept that help when they are ready for it.

Delphi United Methodist Church is offering to help flood victims clean out their homes. Members coordinated efforts among several area churches to connect volunteers to those who cannot do the work themselves.

A team from the church will visit the flood victim's home to assess the damage in person. The homeowner will fill out a form including a list of damages and other information. Items the homeowner does not want worked on also can be listed. Volunteer home assessors received training from the Monticello Southern Baptist Church relief team.

Once necessary information is gathered, the church and homeowner will schedule a date and time to begin the work. The homeowner will be asked to sign a waiver to indemnify the volunteers.

Those who need help cleaning or repairing items in their flooddamaged homes can call (765) 202-3935 or e-mail floodrelief@ delphiumc.org for more information or to begin the process.

The American Red Cross Distribution Center at Camp Tecumseh Equestrian Barn on Springboro Road will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until further notice. Food, water, baby items and more is available. Call (574) 686- 2066 for information. The Red Cross will continue mobile distribution of food and cleaning supplies in Carroll County through the weekend.

Another Red Cross distribution site is located at Fairnet Communication Facility, 321 N. Main St., Monticello. Residents affected by flooding can pick-up cleaning supplies there.

An American Red Cross Service Site is located at Delphi Middle School Gymnasium, 413 E. Monroe St., where Red Cross caseworkers will meet one-onone with individuals and families to determine their disaster-caused needs and provide assistance.

Individuals or families who request assistance will be required to provide identification proving they resided in the disaster-affected area at the time of the disaster. Photo identification such as a driver's license is appropriate. If another type of photo identification is available victims can bring a bill which shows their address.

The Deacon's Closet in the basement of Delphi First Presbyterian Church will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Saturday. The week of Jan. 28 hours will be Mon. and Wed. from 10 to 6 and Sat. noon to 6. Flood victims who visit there will find many helpful free items donated by local community members.

Jacob's Closet in the basement of the Freedom Center at 101 Front St. is both a drop-off and pick-up site for items including clothing, small furniture, toys, dishes, canned goods and toiletries. Store hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The store will also be open Saturday.

Manager Denise Barnett said the store could use volunteers during this busy time. Those interested in helping or in need of more information can call her at (765) 564-4410.

Battle Ground Lions Club at 101 N. Main Street in Battle Ground has food vouchers, water and cleaning supplies for victims.

Industrial Federal Credit Union in Monticello, Delphi and all Lafayette branches are dropoff sites for new and slightly used clothing, bedding, water, children's toys and other relief items. The items will be sent to the American Red Cross or Salvation Army for distribution.

Those who wish to donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster, can call (800) 733-2767. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org. The Red Cross honors donor intent. Those who wish to designate their donation to a specific disaster should do so at the time of the donation.