Heidi

Here is one real life account of the flood…

Well, it all started on Wednesday afternoon. I was at work and had the radio on listening to what was going on around us.  With all the road closures, and our parking lot beginning to flood, we put a phone call out to the owner requesting to close the store early. We were finally able to close at 3pm. I went to our church were my mom works to make sure she was ok. We decided to take one car home, leaving mine in the church parking lot (not ever crossing my mind that the church would flood). Without knowing what really was happening with all the road closures and not knowing if we could make it home, we wanted to be in the same car together in case anything happened. 

Thanking the Lord that we made it home safe, with just a few detours we were able to park our car across from my grandparents home. As we started to walk home, I saw my grandpa coming over the rushing waters, in his John Deere Gator. Grandpa to the rescue! Getting home and seeing the driveway flooded out, and very little water in the basement we are truly blessed to be safe and have minimal damage. On Thursday morning I had heard that birds unlimited had some flooding and our church is right across the street.  I texted pastor to see if he could see any water in the church and if any water around my car. He texted me back saying, “Heidi I am sorry to say but there is water up to the windows on your car…about 4 feet.”

My heart just sank. We got ready and went down to the church to see the water levels and at 10:30 am Thursday it was up past the trunk. Four feet up around the Church building as well. At this point we were standing in as close as we could get, and this was about 175 yards from the church. We walked around town looking at some other areas. It was about 6:30pm that night when we went back to take another look and the water had risen completely submerging my car - about 6 feet of water. 

Feeling helpless and not being able to do anything we headed home. Friday morning we went back to the church finding that it was now 10 feet deep and my car was no where to be found. The water at this point was 300 yards from the church. My heart breaks for all the business around us. To name a few that are completely under water- The entire Valley Plaza  (Unicorn Electronics, Birds Unlimited, Knucklehead Embroidery, Pella windows, Robson Electric),  Mom's House (non-profit to single mom's and dad's with children continuing their education), Terminz, Childtime, New dentist office, Lourdes clinic, Five Star Auto, Goodrich, Ballet Studio, Karate Studio, Performance Sound, Cheshire Cat, and the Psychology Building. We meet a women named Anna who was the owner of a massage therapy office on the top floor of the Psychology building, who has lost everything. And so many more around us have lost so much. Despite all of this devastation, I believe God is going to bring so many blessings. As a Church family we are going to be able to serve our community and come together. I may have only lost my car…compared to some people I am lucky, but still very sad.  And my job…not sure how long I’ll be without a job with all the flooding at the Town Square Mall, but just praising God in the midst of all this sadness.

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This story is from my cousin Heidi.  And her story is just one of many, many more.  And like she says in her own words…so many people have lost everything.  EVERYTHING.  Please pray for us.  If you would like to help, place an order through this Mary Kay consultant and she will give us 25% towards helping people.  Just make sure you mention “NY” in the note section when placing your order.

Flood Report #1

Today I began to deliver toiletries to those in need…here is a vlog report and pictures below.

Here is the van all loaded and ready to head out to people:

Here is Alesia with Karyn from the first house we stopped at:

Here is some of the flood damage to the area we delivered stuff to:

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Video Correction: Our School Administrator did not get anything in his basement.

Homes

I don’t know numbers but I know what my eyes see and I see many, many homes devastated by this historical flood.

Here are some pictures a friend shared with me of their own home.  And let me add that these pictures are after water has gone down.

 

There are others who have lost even more.  Who may not have a home to go back to.  Go to Binghamton Flood 2011 to see many more pictures of the raw destruction.

Then you can help us by placing a Mary Kay order through Janna’s website and mentioning the word “NY” in your order.  She will give us 25% of each order to use toward our Operation Toiletries in providing the people in need with necessary items.

Heroes

Amongst the damage and chaos of this historical flood here in the Southern Tier of NY there are heroes.  I am honored to know two of them personally.  I have two younger brothers who both serve our community as volunteer firemen.

Over the past few days they have spent hours rescuing and helping people even if it means staying up all night and all day.  For days.

They are not getting paid.  There are no benefits for them.  It’s what they do because the care.  As most of us take care of our own homes and our own stuff they are out there helping.  And helping.  And helping some more.

While both my brothers are heroes to our community I want to highlight my youngest brother, Aaron, and his story.

In June of 2010 Aaron was on his way home on his motorcycle when a deer ran out and hit him.  As a result he had and continues to recover from a head injury and is pretty much always in physical pain.  In fact, as a result he has almost no memories of his growing up years.  However, rather than let it slow him down he has continued to serve others through his training and rescue knowledge.  While suffering himself he is out serving his community this week.  While he has lost many of his memories he is trying to help others save their memories.

These are just two faces of the many serving us, helping us, leading us.  Let’s show them our appreciation by listening to them.  They are doing their best to watch out for us.  You can also simply say “Thanks” to the first responders and community servants you see.  And I know that these are two men who would love a bowl of ice cream…and I’m sure they aren’t the only ones!

Thank you little brothers for all that you are doing.  And thank you to ALL those serving.

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If you want to help our community you can donate toiletry items to us or send us gift cards for Weis Markets, Price Chopper, Lowes Home Improvement, or just generic Visa gift cards.  Please send donations to the address found at this facebook page.  I will be updating you as we get things and give them out. 

ALSO!  Janna has offered to give us 25% of any orders placed on her Mary Kay website.  So please go visit Janna’s MK site and order!  Thanks Janna!  MAKE SURE YOU MENTION “NY” in your order when you do!

Helpless

As I sit down to write my mind is running in a million different directions.

I know I have been a delinquent blogger of late.  My life has become so crazy busy with ministry related stuff that I haven’t known how to blog about it.  But now, I am hoping that one single post can really help despite my lack of having a big blogging audience at the moment.

I am helpless.  My community here in the Southern Tier of NY has been ravaged by flooding.  In a complete miracle my home – despite it’s low level – has been untouched other than a very, very soggy yard.  Now, I want to show the love of Christ through reaching out to my community in this time of great need.  And while I alone am helpless, I know that if I can get the support of my blog friends behind me I can change that.

I NEED YOUR HELP!

I am starting a toiletry drive with the help of a teen girl who you can follow on twitter and my church.  Please e-mail me at trenchesofmotherhood {@} yahoo {.} com if you can help.  Or go to this facebook page for our church address where you can mail donations. 

My suggestion is to get your community to donate toiletries – see list below – and then use a flat rate box to mail them to the church.  From there they will be passed out to our surrounding community and given to shelters.  I WILL post updates about how they all get used.

Now here is a list of what we need:

• Toothbrushes
• Toothpaste
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Soap
• Baby Wipes
• Diapers
• Feminine Products
• Soap
• Razors
• Denture Cleaners
• Deodorant
• Any Hygiene related products such….combs, brushes, hair ties, etc…

NOW I NEED YOUR HELP!  Please pass the word through blogs, facebook, twitter, and word of mouth. I will do my absolute best to report back to you as I get in the trenches of flood damage.  I want to show the community of Binghamton, NY the passion of the blogging community as you all reach out.

So who is with me?

For pictures of the flooding visit this facebook page.

This picture is just the tip of the ice burg when it comes to damage we are dealing with.