Jul 8, 2018 By Harry Funk staff Writer hfunk@thealmanac.Net 4 min read

As those who are impacted by flooding soon realize, cleaning up after the water recedes is just the start.

Because addressing longer-term issues can be such a daunting task, representatives of several organizations joined together last week in offering a pair of multi-agency resource center events to answer questions and provide help where needed.

“Some organizations are offering actual people to assist,” Shannon Evans, emergency/risk coordinator for the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, explained. “They help with coordinating volunteers to come into your home and help move debris and damage.”

10-year-olds’ bake sale helps cause

A friend whose home was flooded with six feet of water on June 20 prompted two Bethel Park girls to take action.

Maddie Masztak and Julia Schumacher, both 10 and ready to start fifth grade at Neil Armstrong Middle School, set up a Sunday morning bake sale at Maddie’s house. After a few hours, they were out of goodies and ready to count the money they’d raised.

The counting took a while because the total – “Are you ready?” as Maddie’s mom, Karen, said as she reported it – turned out to be $2,500.

Beyond cash for their sweets and treats, Maddie and Julia received some substantial donations toward the cause, which benefits the Black Hawk Family Relief Fund.

“We have done a bake sale, but not for someone in need,” Julia said, with Maddie adding:

“We just thought it was the best way to get people to come and help raise money for flood victims.”

Their parents helped spread the word through social media, and friends, neighbors and other well-wishers responded in a big way, much to the girls’ gratitude.

“It feels really good,” Maddie said.

Evans was among the agency representatives on hand July 6 at the Bethel Park Community Center, a day after a similar event in Bridgeville.

“Some of the other organizations assist with general needs,” she said, “whether that be water heaters or appliances, or trying to point you into the right direction as to how to get these resources, even food and clothing replacements.”

Among the organizations participating in the events were the American Red Cross, South Hills Interfaith Movement, United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, LDS Charities, the Salvation Army, United Methodist Committee on Relief and Southern Baptist Disaster Relief.

Many of the groups are continuing their efforts after offering immediate assistance following the June 20 flash flooding that struck portions of the South Hills.

“This lets them know that we’re still thinking about them and we’re still trying to help with that recovery process, because it is such a long process for so many individuals,” Evans said.

More than 400 Bethel Park homes were impacted, according to Tim Moury, council president.

“It was pretty much municipal-wide. There wasn’t any defined area. It didn’t spare any particular place,” Moury said. “We had a resident who told me he bought his house in 1982 and never had water. He had 46 inches of water in his basement.”

He complimented assistance efforts throughout the community, from public safety personnel to the fund-distributing Black Hawk Family Relief Fund, plus the 3,600-plus-member Citizens of Bethel Park Facebook group.

“They have done a phenomenal job of helping us communicate and helping us organize volunteers, not just to clean up but help delivering food and comforting people,” he said while attending the multi-agency event.

“It’s not surprising how the community has come together and all the people who are willing to help neighbors,” Moury continued. “People who were flooded and got their houses cleaned out were willing to help other people.”

The municipality set up distribution points for cleaning supplies that had been donated by local businesses, including one at the Schoolhouse Arts and History Center, where resident Mariane Newmeyer went after her home experienced some flooding.

When she arrived there, she said, she was unsure how to proceed. Then she saw Moury, ready to lend a hand:

“He meets me at the door, and he says, ‘Come on this way.’ He takes me into this big room and gets a box. How about this? How about that? And then he takes it out and puts it in the trunk.”

She also acknowledged Mayor Jack Allen’s efforts in keeping the community informed about available resources, along with other local officials handling the emergency and its aftermath.

“They just rose to the occasion,” Newmeyer said.

Another multi-agency resource center is being planned near Millvale and Sharpsburg, two municipalities along the Allegheny River that were flooded on July 5, according to Evans.

“For all of these events,” she said, “we’ve opened it up to anyone who has been impacted, if they’re willing to travel to those locations.”