Ellwood Rotary delivers water to East Palestine residents
ELLWOOD CITY – The Rotary Club of Ellwood City has reached across the Ohio border to help neighbors dealing with disaster in East Palestine.
After the Feb. 3 incident when 50 cars of a Norfolk Southern train, some of which were carrying hazardous chemicals and materials, derailed in East Palestine, the residents have reported many concerns and needs.
While reading the daily reports Rotary President Doug Slade said this week he felt moved to help these folks and brought the problem to the local club on Feb. 16, focusing on the need for bottled water.
Club members donated $435 and gave another $200 from the club's treasury.
On Saturday, Rotary Club members delivered three pallets of water to East Palestine residents. They coordinated their efforts with The Way Station in the Ohio village.
'As we were unloading the water a steady stream of vehicles came the whole time we were there. Inside the distribution center, the basement of a church, I overheard residents asking for cleaning supplies. Unfortunately, supplies were low, and the resident asking did not feel comfortable taking the last items on the shelf," Slade said. "Many of the residents in East Palestine do not have the financial needs to get their homes professionally cleaned."
Slade said people told him that Norfolk Southern may reimburse residents for the cleaning, but most do not have the $800 needed to pay for the cleaning up front.
Working with club members, Slade has organized a drive to provide the residents with cleaning supplies, paper towels and other needed items. A complete list of what is requested is posted on the Rotary Club of Ellwood City's Facebook page. The items and monetary donations can be dropped off at Tomon's Funeral Home in Ellport and the Trinity Lutheran Church in Ellwood City. The delivery is scheduled for Sunday.
The Way Station is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, organization serving individuals and families in need. Agencies and organizations throughout Columbiana County, Ohio, and beyond use The Way Station as a resource for emergency assistance, nutrition, clothing, household items, job training and emotional support.
"First, thanks to the wonderful donations and the club members who helped us to deliver the water. The people from The Way were very kind and helpful and very grateful for the donations," Slade said. "We know our community will generously help our neighbors in East Palestine with cleaning supplies and other items and our club will deliver them."
He said the club's donations to East Palestine have received a tremendous response.
"The outpouring from the community and Rotary clubs around the U.S. has been incredible," Slade said. "I have had Rotary clubs from Arizona, California, Florida and others reaching out asking how they can help."
The local Rotary district is helping, Armstrong Cable is running an ad with the flier on TV this week and other groups are reaching out to help.
The Rotary Club of East Palestine will be there when the next delivery is made on Feb. 26.
For donations from other Rotary Clubs outside the area or individuals that are asking how to help financially: The East Palestine Rotary District (6650) just set up a site for financial donations: https://rotarydistrict6650.org/donate/relief-for-east-palestine)
The Rotary Club of Zelienople is opening a donation site near them and the club will deliver the donations to the Trinity Lutheran Church.
"I am very proud of our club's efforts and amazed by our community's outpouring of help," Slade said.
The Beaver County Republican Committee also delivered water, paper products and cleaning supplies last week to East Palestine through The Way Station.
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Rotary Club of Ellwood City leading efforts to help East Palestine residents
