The Stepping Stone Foundation, an Elk County based disaster relief organization, responded to the area devastated by last Monday’s tornado’s in Clay, Alabama. In the early mornings hours of January 23rd, several EF-2 and EF-3 tornado’s struck communities in Alabama and other states. Hundreds of homes and businesses were destroyed or severely damaged, and at least three deaths were reported. While in the area, Stepping Stone volunteers joined with members of the Clayridge Baptist church to distribute meals, water, Gatorade, work gloves, safety glasses, tarps, cleaning supplies, and other relief items to property owners, rescue/recovery teams, law enforcement, and utility workers.
The Stepping Stone Foundation is a 501-C-3 non profit relief agency. Volunteers from the foundation have been active in disaster relief activities resulting from hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav, Ike and Irene, in addition to the floods in Nashville and the Midwest in recent years and the Haiti earthquake. The Stepping Stone Foundation also has assisted area residents that have lost homes to fires and other catastrophes. As well as supporting faith based groups developing infrastructure in Mozambique, Africa.
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The Stepping Stone Foundation responds to Hurricane Irene
The Elk County based Stepping Stone Foundation recently traveled to upstate New York to assist with the efforts to clean up from damage caused by the recent passage of Hurricane Irene. Many communities throughout the New England region, though many miles from the coast, were devastated by torrential rains resulting from this storm. Though the original plan was to deliver 6,000 pounds of bottled water into Vermont, the trip was rerouted because of interstate 88 being closed down around Cobleskill, N. Y. Local law enforcement who were securing the interstate suggested that the water could be dropped at an incident command post setup in Cobleskill. At this incident command center The Stepping Stone Foundation joined with regular army, air force, national guard, FEMA search and rescue teams from Ohio, California, and N.Y., sheriff’s office state and local police, and numerous fire departments, beginning recovery operations in the area.
The Stepping Stone is a registered non profit agency, donations are tax deductible and more information is available at www.steppingstonerelief.org or by calling 814 335-2884.
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The Stepping Stone 2012 Update
The Stepping Stone Foundation since its inception in September of 2005 has been involved with the following disaster relief activities.
a. Hurricane Katrina/Gustav/Ike and Midwest flood relief
b. Support of area families after loss of homes due to fire
c. Assistance to area residents shipping relief supplies to family members
in areas affected by disasters
d. Assistance to local food banks with food shipments
e. Haiti Earthquake Relief
f. Nashville Flood May 2010
g. Alabama tornado May 2011
h. Hurricane Irene August 2011
i. Alabama tornado January 2012
Members of The Stepping Stone Foundation have been to southern Mississippi 32 times aiding in the disaster relief effort.
Volunteers have logged over 102,000 miles collecting and distributing relief supplies to
fisaster areas around the country.
Volunteers have logged over 7,500 miles collecting and distributing relief supplies to Sanford, Florida. For the Haitian Relief effort.
Volunteers have collected and distribted over 155,000 pounds of food, clothing appliances, household items, cleaning supplies, paper products, personal hygiene items, school supplies, and other relief supplies to disaster areas.
Volunteers have contributed over 8,200 manhours toward disaster relief efforts on going around the country.
Volunteers have collected and delivered over 4,500 Christmas gifts for children along the Mississippi gulf coast.
Volunteers have aided coastel residents gut homes, salvage siding and roof trusses, general cleanup, removal of debris, repair of existing homes, construction of new homes, as well as preparing and delivering meals.
The Stepping Stone Foundation has collected and disbursed over $9,000 to area residents who have lost homes to fire.
The Foundation has also assisted in short term shelter needs to post fire victims.
Monetary donations to The Stepping Stone Foundation can be made by mailing directly to 5902 Ridgway Johnsonburg Rd. Johnsonburg, Pa 15845, or by direct deposit at any Northwest Savings bank in Elk County, Pa.
The Stepping Stone Foundation is always in need of nonperishable food items, new or like new clothing, toys, shoes, small kitchen appliances, and cook ware. Monetary donations are always needed to help fund continuing operations. Thank you much for the support.
(814) 335-2884