LEAVITTSBURG Group gives to vicitms of flood

Donations came from all over Northeast Ohio and parts of Pennsylvania.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
LEAVITTSBURG -- Darlene Vasbinder of the Downtown Leavittsburg Improvement Association was gratified by the outpouring of generosity.
The association gave away clothes, bedding, toys, appliances, books and other items to victims of the flooding that plagued much of the Mahoning Valley two weeks ago.
The giveaway started Friday and was to continue from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at the association's building on West Market Street.
Dave Shaffer of Canoe City park started collecting items two days after the heavy rains drove many residents out of their homes.
Organizers said donations came from all over Northeast Ohio and parts of Pennsylvania
"I just hope everyone can use the items," Vasbinder said as he lugged boxes from the building to tables and pallets outside where those in need could look them over.
About 20 volunteers, a local Boy Scout troop and the LaBrae High School football team helped unload items from the building.
"For people who want to take some of the heavier stuff, I've got two trailers, and I'm hauling it to their place," said Dan Fairchild, a leader of the Boy Scout troop.
Thankful people
About 4 feet of water soaked Shirley Bradley's finished basement in her Sweetbriar Avenue S.W. home. That's where she kept her washer, dryer, refrigerator, big screen television and leather furniture. All of that was lost.
"I've had homeowners insurance for years, but they tell me I needed sewer insurance," Bradley said.
She was hoping to find dishes Friday and maybe a washer and dryer, but she recognizes that other people suffered more than she did. There was only one dryer there, so she decided to leave it for someone else.
"If it takes me five years, I'll get back to where I was before," Bradley said. "I don't want to take something from someone else who lost everything."
An inspector from the Federal Emergency Management Agency visited her home, and she's waiting to learn if she'll get some assistance.
Gladys Postlethwait, who lives near the high school, was looking for clothes and toys for her five children.
She kept those items in her finished basement, which was flooded in the downpour.
She's waiting for a FEMA representative to visit her home to assess her damage.
LaBrae fund
Nancy Bee of the Warren Township Fire Department Auxiliary, who assisted with the collection and distribution effort, said the LaBrae Health and Welfare Fund also is accepting donations to help the school district pupils and families.
Checks to the fund should be mailed to Jean Morningstar, Bascum Elementary School principal.
"It started in the 1930s when floods would come often," Bee said of the fund.
More recently, the money has been used for things like buying clothes for children to wear to a funeral for a family member and buying eyeglasses for children whose families can't afford them.