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Garden gala raises money for Schoharie Recovery
Posted at: 08/11/2012 12:41 AM
By: Dan Levy
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SCHOHARIE - They're not there just yet, but in a little less than a year's time, the Village of Schoharie has made a remarkable comeback. In an effort to make sure that comeback continues, the community put on a gala Friday night, one that seems to have paid dividends.
At Wellington's Herbs and Spices, a 45-acre organic farm, on a hill overlooking the Village of Schoharie, residents gathered for a garden party, still mindful of the $30 million flood that ravaged their community almost one year ago.
"in talking with homeowners, many are still reeling from the loss," said Josh DeBartolo, director of Schoharie Recovery, Incorporated. "We've never been tighter knit then we are now."
In the immediate aftermath of the flood, 80% of the homes, and 100% of the businesses in the village were rendered unfit.
One year after the flood, Schoharie Recovery volunteers have helped out on about 350 properties and as the August 28th anniversary approaches, only 40% of the damaged properties are back in use.
"The remaining work is more difficult," said John Poorman, chairman of Schoharie Recovery, Inc. "(It's more difficult) because the owners of the properties we're working with now probably didn't have quite the resources, or the skills, or the commitment to get going."
Poorman says the recovery is now further along then many people thought possible, and the best way to continue the momentum is to continue raising money, which was the impetus for Friday night's gala.
"We've made a lot of progress over the last year," DeBartolo asserted. "We've had over 15,000 volunteers come through our door and that's something we can't say thank you enough for, but it's a long way still to go."
More than $8,000 was raised Friday night from pre-sold tickets and donations were expected to keep coming in over the weekend. More donations and skilled labor are still in great demand, and much appreciated.
If you would like to donate either money or manpower, you can contact Schoharie Recovery Incorporated at:
http://www.schoharierecovery.org/
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