Chamber board seeks donations to cover costs from flood damage

Historical documents were among the items destroyed or damaged in the disaster.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking donations to help it recover from flooding damage Aug. 9.
The chamber board has sent to its nearly 300 members a plea for cash to help offset the nearly $35,000 in damage done to the 19th-century chamber headquarters on East State Street at Lincoln Avenue.
The crossroad and the area around it were swamped with several feet of water after heavy rains overloaded already strained storm-water drains.
Damage
Nearly 6 feet of water entered the basement at the chamber, and more than a foot of water affected other parts of the structure.
Hundreds of files and historical documents were ruined or damaged. Computers, a copy machine and a hot-water heater were destroyed.
The chamber must repair the bottom 36 inches of many walls in its offices. Carpet must also be replaced, and some tiles also may have to be repaired. The chamber has no flood insurance.
The organization has applied to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for help and is eligible for reimbursement for up to 75 percent of the repair cost.
That still leaves the organization short and has prompted the request for donations.
"We are asking the membership to please consider opening up your pockets, your purses and your checkbooks and send a donation to help this cause," an Aug. 28 letter to chamber members states.
In some instances, members have donated services to aid in the recovery.