Denise Richardson
Staff Writer
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Needs are growing in the wake of Hurricane Irene as the area recovers, and opportunities abound to help. Anyone wishing to help with cleanup efforts in Delaware County may call the Office for the Aging at 746-6333. Delaware County staff said suggested donations include:
"¢ Cleaning products: Baby supplies such as formula/diapers, wipes, and only new car seats, sanitary products, soap, toothpaste, toilet paper, toothbrushes, razors, shampoo, deodorant, contact lens eye solution, body lotion, hand sanitizer. Items may be dropped off at Delaware Opportunities, state Highway 10, Hamden; at Oneonta Ford Inc. at state Route 23, Oneonta; or Catholic Charities, 15 S. Main Street, Oneonta.
"¢ Canned goods and non-perishable foods: Including soup, stew, pasta, peanut butter, jelly, crackers, boxed milk and 100 percent juice -- take to Delaware Opportunities or Oneonta Ford Inc.
"¢ School supplies: Such as backpacks, pencils, pens, composition notebooks, calculators, glue sticks, blunt scissors, crayons and markers, can be dropped off at Oneonta Ford, the Delaware County Department of Social Services, 99 Main St., Delhi, or Delaware Opportunities.
"¢ Furniture: Donors are asked to call the Delaware County Office for the Aging at 746-6333 to leave contact information about donations. By leaving a message, a donation and need may be matched.
"¢ Clothing: Drop off sites are Delaware Opportunities; the Open Door, Route 28, Delhi; and Catholic Charities.
"¢ Cash donations: United Way of Delaware and Otsego Counties Disaster Relief Fund. Call 432-8006 to contribute or mail a designated check to the local United Way, 31 Maple St., Oneonta, NY 13820.
Other local organizations and residents have planned fundraisers and support, including:
"¢ Frank Zwerlein said he lost about 70 percent of his Zsys-Networks business in the Flood of 2006. He is offering help to businesses affected by the storm that need to recover lost data on their computers. His number is (845) 439-5465.
"¢ The second annual Oneonta Theatre Gala Variety Show at 47 Chestnut St., Oneonta, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday will be a benefit instead of a free-admission event. Donations made at the door will be given to the Central New York Radio Group's Delaware County Relief Fund.
"¢ Oneonta LaserDerm will contribute $20 toward the Radio Group's fundraising effort for each spa service booked this week. For information, call 238-2868.
"¢ The Belleayre Music Festival will turn its final show of the season into a benefit for victims of Sunday's flood. Bela Fleck and the Flecktones -- Original Lineup will appear at Belleayre at 8 p.m. Saturday. The concert will be at Belleayre Mountain in Highmount. For information, call (845) 254-5600, ext. 1344.
"¢ The Plains at Parish Homestead in Oneonta will present an outdoor benefit Sock Hop 50s & 60s Music with singer Mary Frances Perricone for the United Way of Delaware and Otsego Counties at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $2 as a suggested donation. The Plains will collect food and water for disaster relief operations of Delaware County. For more information, call Barbara Ann Heegan 267-4013.
"¢ Marybeth Jones said she and a few friends collected items and contributions in Oneonta's Neahwa Park and the donations will be delivered to Schoharie County by R.J. Millworkers.
