Floods can’t wash out West Virginians’ helping hands

This is why I am proud to be a West Virginia native.

Folks in at least 10 northern counties are collecting donations of food, money and personal hygiene products to take to fellow West Virginians hit hard by the flood in southern counties, where 23 deaths have been confirmed and thousands of people dislocated by the high waters.

This is only what we know about. Being West Virginians, I’m sure there are more preparing to help their fellow Mountaineers.

Barbour County

- Ryan's Auto Repair and Ryan's Recker Service in Belington, the Belington Volunteer Fire Department and members of the Barbour County Commission are taking donations of nonperishable food items, bottled water, health and sanitary items and baby diapers at Ryan's Recker Service. They will be delivering the donations to Webster Springs.

- The Philippi Volunteer Fire Department and the Barbour County Emergency Squad in Philippi are accepting donations.

Doddridge County

- The Doddridge County High School football team will be donating equipment to the Clay County High School football team, who lost everything in the flood. They will also be donating some money from their booster account. If anyone would like to contribute, they can bring their donation to the football field during their evening practices this week on Monday or Wednesday.

Harrison County

- The Bridgeport Fire Department on West Main Street will be accepting donations. They're requesting water, nonperishable food, cleanup kits, bleach, brooms and maps.

- The Shinnston Volunteer Fire Department, the Lumberport Volunteer Fire Department and the Spelter Volunteer Fire Department will be accepting donations. They are requesting bottled or jugged water, nonperishable food items and cleaning supplies, such as hand soap and laundry detergent. If no one is present at the fire department, supplies can be dropped off outside.

- The Stonewood Volunteer Fire Department is collecting items. They're requesting cleaning supplies, especially bleach, baby wipes, diapers, baby food and formula, toiletries, work gloves, toilet paper, feminine hygiene items, shampoo, toothpaste/toothbrushes, batteries, buckets, garbage bags, face masks and bottled water.

- All four locations of PARCS Superstores will accept donations. They are asking for any yard and lawn tools to help in the cleanup. They'll be sending trailers daily.

- The Old Time Baptist Church in Clarksburg will be accepting clothing donations. Contact 304-623-4388 to arrange a drop off.

- Julio's Cafe in Clarksburg is donating 25 percent of all pasta proceeds to flood relief. This will begin Monday, June 27 and run until July 1. They will also accept all other donations.

- Main Street Fitness in Bridgeport is accepting donations. If 500 items are donated, a full free week of classes will be available in July. They're accepting drinking water, nonperishable food items, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene products, baby products, and first aid supplies.

- Fellowship Bible Church at 70 Deegan Lake Road in Bridgeport will be collecting donations fall week. Items can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Monday, June 27 through Friday, July 1. They are requesting nonperishable food items, bottled water, new or lightly worn clothing, diapers, toiletries, pet care products/food, washcloths and towels, hand sanitizer, baby wipes, garbage bags, cleaning supplies, rubber gloves, laundry detergent, flashlights, batteries, blankets and pillows, and feminine products.

- Tudor's Biscuit World is collecting supplies to take to the southern part of the state. Both the Bridgeport and Morgantown locations will accept donations.

Lewis County

- Weston Walmart will collect donations in a tractor trailer outside of the store Monday, June 27 from 3-8 p.m. Donations can be dropped off the rest of the week from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

- Weston Shop-N-Save Express will accept donations on Wednesday, June 29 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

- The Walkersville Fire Department will accept donations from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday, June 27.

Marion County

- Fairmont Regional Medical Center will accept donations in the emergency room. They're requesting bottled water, cleaning supplies, bleach, baby diapers and baby wipes.

- The North Marion High School football team will be accepting donations from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, June 27 at the Husky Field at North Marion High School in Farmington. These items will be combined with items collected by members of the University High School football team and the Ridgeview Redhawks 4H Club.

Monongalia County

- West Virginia University will take donations Monday, June 27 at Stansbury Hall, the Coliseum, and the Suncrest Kroger. They are in need of water, trash bags, rubber gloves, buckets, paper towels, toilet paper, mops, brooms, flat head shovels for debris removal, and Clorox wipes.

- The West Virginia Black Bears will team up with the United Way and American Red Cross and accept donations during their home series at the Monongalia County Ballpark on Monday, June 27 and on Friday, July 1, Saturday, July 2, and Sunday, July 3 at Gates A & C in yellow bins. The United Way is requesting cleaning supplies, especially bleach, baby wipes, diapers, baby food and formula, toiletries, work gloves, toilet paper, feminine hygiene items, shampoo and toothpaste/toothbrushes. All monetary donations will go to the American Red Cross. You can also donate by visiting redcrosswv.org.

- United Talent Staffing in Morgantown will take donations at their location on Holland Avenue. They're requesting bottled water, canned goods, clothes for people of all ages, nonperishable food, hygiene products, cleaning products, dog and cat food and blankets.

- Pet Valu in Morgantown at Suncrest Towne Centre will be accepting donations all week and plan to drive a load of supplies down to the southern part of the state on Friday. They're asking for pet-related items, such as dog and cat food and hay. They're open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

- Chick-fil-A on Patteson Drive in Morgantown is hosting an all-day supply collection on Tuesday, June 28. They will accept various items including cleaning supplies, bleach, baby wipes, diapers, baby food and formula, toiletries, work gloves, toilet paper, feminine hygiene items, shampoo, toothpaste/toothbrushes, and batteries. People can donate any three items from the list and receive a free chicken sandwich combo meal or an eight-count nugget combo meal. All donated items must be new and in packaging. The offer may be redeemed only once per person and is only available at the Patteson Drive location. For more information, contact Tom Koon, Restaurant Marketing Director for Chick-fil-A at Patteson Drive at 304-288-8012.

- Tudor's Biscuit World is collecting supplies to take to the southern part of the state. Both the Bridgeport and Morgantown locations will accept donations.

Preston County

- Preston Memorial Hospital will accept donations on Monday, June 27 at 11 a.m. If you aren't able to make it at that time, please call Sam or Ronnie at 304-290-8640 to arrange to be met at the hospital to drop off donations.

Randolph County

- The Elkins Fire Department is needing cleaning supplies, baby items, hygiene supplies, pet food, and water. Donations will be accepted from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday.

Taylor County

- Project Hope in Grafton will be open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and collecting until Thursday, June 30. They will be taking a load of supplies down on Friday, July 1.

- The Message of Freedom Church in Grafton will be collecting on Tuesday, June 28 and Wednesday, June 29 from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.

- First Community Bank in Grafton will collect donations from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

- Anna Jarvis Elementary School will have a drop-off location at the Grafton Farmer's Market on Wednesday, June 29 from 3-6 p.m.

- The Act of Kindness Pantry in Grafton will accept donations on Monday, June 27 and Wednesday, June 29 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Upshur County

- Goody's in Buckhannon will be accepting donations, and in return, they'll give you a $10 coupon to use in the store.

- The Adrian Fire Department in Adrian will be accepting donations Tuesday, June 28 beginning at 11 a.m. Call Chief Harlow at 304-406-4808 with any questions or to schedule an alternative drop-off time.

- Freedom Homes in Buckhannon will be accepting donations.