Area Residents Working To Bring Relief To Hurricane Victims

Just one of three classes Mrs. DeJong teaches that are participating in a fund raising effort to help those impacted by Hurricane Harvey.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The damage from Hurricane Harvey was extensive across Texas. Record rainfall took place as the tropical storm stalled over the state, dumping over four feet of rain in some places.

The winds destroyed many homes and businesses south of flooded Houston, and the state reached out to the world for help.

Last week, we highlighted the work of William Penn University and the athletic department there collecting and shipping out two separate loads of clothing.

Over at the Oskaloosa Middle School, 7th-grade students in Mrs. DeJong’s class are working to raise funds to help the people in Texas recover.

DeJong says the idea started with her “as I was brainstorming about things I want my kids to do this summer. I’d like to see Oskaloosa Middle School kids get the focus off of themselves and start focusing on others.”

“When the hurricane hit, I thought, wow, this is a great service project that we could do,” added DeJong.

“It makes me feel really happy that I’m helping other people,” said Oskaloosa Middle School student Makayla. “I’m just happy that we can help them out.

Makayla has worked overtime contacting local businesses to be drop-off locations in the community to help collect donations, and took time to hang posters as well as put donation containers at various places in the city for the relief effort.

“I hope that we can make everybody down in Texas have what they need for school,” added Makayla.

Students in the class said the community can contribute to making their work a success by donating school supplies and money to help the schools recover in the areas impacted by Harvey.

Also being accepted are books to help restock the school libraries that were destroyed by floodwaters.

Cash donations along with gift cards to places like Wal Mart, Target and Amazon, are also greatly appreciated.

Students are accepting donations until September 22nd, and will then send off the money and items received the following week.

Community members can take donations to Hy-Vee, the Oskaloosa Public Library, and Fareway. Cash donations can be taken to Fareway, to the express lane where there is a collection can.

Other participating community partners include Mahaska Drug, True Value, Tasos’ and Smokey Row.

You can learn more about the Oskaloosa Middle School fundraising effort on their website HERE- http://www.helpingout-hurricane.my-free.website/

Orscheln Farm & Home of Oskaloosa donated 6 chainsaws and 10 cases of water to the New Sharon Fire & Rescue for their upcoming mission to Rock Port, Texas to help those impacted by the hurricane.

The New Sharon Volunteer Fire Department is sending a team to Rock Port, Texas to help in the recovery efforts there.

Many people have sent cash donations to the fire department, and Orscheln Farm & Home in Oskaloosa stepped up in a big way, donating six chainsaws and 10 cases of water to the department to help them in their work.

New Sharon Fire Chief Steve Gerrard asks that checks be made out to New Sharon Fire & Rescue Association, P.O. Box 62, New Sharon, Iowa 50207.

Put ‘Rescue Effort’ in the memo of the check.

New Sharon Fire & Rescue Association is a 501c3 entity, and your donations are tax deductible.