“So we decided to give it a go and see what we can do.”
When a catastrophic storm hits an area, it could be damaging not only in the early hours but in the long run as well. For several southern states, the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey has seen towns and cities trying to rebuild and get on with their everyday lives.
The Palmyra Fire Department’s Ladies Auxiliary, in conjunction with the fire department itself, has started a hurricane relief effort for Texas.
Led by Auxiliary President Roberta Locke, the group is trying to locate a volunteer fire company to work with in helping the state get back on its feet.
“We are currently working with (Congressman) Donald Norcross’ office in trying to locate a company,” Locke said. “If that doesn’t work, then we will put some feelers out with our sister companies to help find a department in Texas.”
The auxiliary has several potential recipients it may partner with, but no decision has been made. Due to the amount of flooding in Texas from the hurricane, communication has been made sparingly between Palmyra and potential recipients.
“Orange County, San Leon and Mauriceville are three areas we would like to target,” Locke said.
The decision to get involved came pretty quickly after the hurricane damaged Texas. Locke talked to her husband before making her decision to start something.
“If something like this happened to Palmyra, we would be grateful and appreciative of any help we would receive,” Locke said. “So we decided to give it a go and see what we can do.”
The fire department is not the only part of the borough helping the people in Texas. The Palmyra Harbour Association is donating supplies and has joined with the department to help strengthen the cause.
“We have agreed to help deliver their products to Texas, as well as help them with the monetary donations, too,” Locke said. “The department is opening an account for donations and they can be made out to the fire department.”
Sanitary supplies, baby items, clothes and bedding are just a handful of items the department is seeking from donors. Four flats of water have already been donated to the cause by the fire department, and Locke feels more could be on the way.
“We are working with local businesses and area businesses to try and increase the amount of food and water we can give,” Locke said. “Also, we are trying to have donation times set up several times during a week for people to either donate products or money to the cause.”
This isn’t the first instance the fire department has helped during a time of need.
“Back when Hurricane Sandy hit, the fire department helped out Surf City due to members from here living there,” Locke said. “We hope that this is just the start of a strong relief effort for the people in Texas.”
Info Box: Monetary donations can be made to Independence Fire Company, 115 W. Broad St., Palmyra, 08065. Physical donations can be dropped off at the Fire Company on Mondays 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m, and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Further donation dates and times are to be determined. To make a donation through the American Red Cross, check https://www.redcross.org/donate/hurricane-harvey.
For more information regarding the Palmyras Fire Department’s Ladies Auxiliary, check http://www.palmyrafire.org.
