Aug 29, 2017 4 min read

Just more than a month ago, Canton Township officials found themselves working with residents and business owners who had their properties flooded.

The past few days, Cindy Fox of Washington has watched reports in the news and on social media, seeing the utter destruction caused by Hurricane Harvey and its flooding rains.

Both are conducting separate efforts with a common goal of gathering toiletries, feminine products, batteries, flashlights, diapers, baby food, blankets and other items for those in need in Texas. Fox also is seeking donations of pet food.

Township secretary Stephanie Pettit, assistant secretary Dani Kearns and zoning officer Chris Hammett started talking Monday and came up with the idea to launch the collection effort. Kearns made fliers, and the drive also was announced on the township website and through Facebook.

“People need towels, blankets, water, personal hygiene products, diapers,” Pettit said. “We’ll be taking the items to Brother’s Brother Foundation in Pittsburgh.”

All donated items must be new. No used items can be accepted. Nor can they accept clothing, furniture or appliances. Pettit said donors can check the Brother’s Brother website at brothersbrother.org for a complete list of needed items. Pettit expects to accept items until Sept. 15.

“But if we have a good response, we will extend it,” she added. “No donation is too small.”

Hammett said the rains locally in late July caused flooding that affected 18 businesses and 20 homes in the township.

One resident was temporarily displaced.

“We have a feeling what Texas is going through on a much larger scale,” Pettit said.

“We had a mess with three inches of rain. I can’t imagine 50 inches.”

The township building at 655 Grove Ave. is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday.

Anyone with questions can call the township at 724-225-8990.

Fox, who knows people affected by the flooding, felt a need to do more than just write a check. She said the flood victims have an immediate need for many of the items being collected.

“I saw what was going on, and I was just devastated,” Fox said. “It is just awful. I figured if I can help, I will help.”

She talked with some of her friends and found out what was needed.

Linda Adkins of L.A. Sweets in Washington also watched coverage of the devastation. She has offered Fox the use of her bakery at 148 N. Main St., Washington, as a collection site for donations. Her bakery is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fox asks that donations be dropped off by Thursday, because a truck heading for the flooded area will leave Friday. Anyone with questions or who needs to make other arrangements to drop off donations can call Fox at 724-228-2389.

In the Mon Valley, Cox Market on Route 481 in Monongahela is acting as a collection site for donations of items such as water, cleaning supplies, paper products and diapers. A trailer will leave Friday evening, so donations are needed quickly, according to the market’s Facebook page.

The American Red Cross is seeking monetary donations to help finance the relief effort, which likely will be a long haul, said Dan Tobin, director of marketing and communications for the Red Cross Western Pennsylvania Region.

Tobin said the money is used for the cost of running shelters and providing food for those affected by the flooding. It also helps cover the expense of getting volunteers to the areas where they are needed.

Donations can be made to the Red Cross online at redcross.org or by sending a check to American Red Cross, 2801 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222.