Vermont is being washed away -

[Oldfaded]

I would like to help the flood victims but have no way to do so.
I dont drive, I cant do back work, but I CAN do restoration of some of their treasures.
Is there anything that anyone can do here that can help with this effort as I am useless and can only be here to restore, I cant do the foot work.
Here are a few links to show what is going on:
http://www.wcax.com/story/15405376/photos-washed-away-by-vt-flooding-return-home
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENAY5d9ALPQ&feature=share
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Again, the only thing Im good for is to restore, email, or phone calls.
Please let me know what I can do as I know I cant help all the ones who lost their homes and memories, even tho I wish I could. :(

[Hannie]

It is heartbreaking to see how much damage Irene has caused.  I have seen many report, even on the local news stations here.  I feel so sorry for all those people and animals.

It is probably too early to think of a copy run but a lot can be done in getting the word out to flood victims not to throw out their water damaged photos.

I wonder if their are any OPR volunteers that live near the affected area.

Hannie

[Oldfaded]

Thank you Hannie -

I have posted on the local news facebook.
http://www.facebook.com/WCAXTV?sk=wall
Letting them know about how to, and NOT to throw them out, as Im sure that will be a knee jerk reaction while cleaning out...just count the photos as yet another loss in life.
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I added Eric Mallette - http://www.facebook.com/Emack85
who is the organizer of 'I am Vermont Strong' which is making teeshirts and donating money to flood victims. I asked him for help, not gotten back yet.
http://www.vermontstrong.mybigcommerce.com/
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So I think those are a good start to put out a line and see if anyone else is able to help out.
Im not able to get there but can fix a photo or two. :)

[Pat]

Kate don't say that the "only thing you can do is restore", email or phone calls like it's of no real account.  After others help in ways you that cannot the one thing you can do is restore.  In disastrous times it takes everyone working together pooling skills to complete the entire job.
 
At some point in the future we will not doubt have photos damaged from hurricane Irene in our galleries to restore.  In the meantime there are photos from the Stark County Ohio flood in the galleries waiting to be restored. 

[Oldfaded]

Thats true Pat.. guess I was more thinking of the foot work and the fanny work. fanny work Im VERY good at...lol
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I will definitely get to the gallery as soon as I can, right now I am working on two photographs and don't feel I should tie up the galley photos as I don't know when I can get to it. Trying to pace myself.
So as soon as Im finished with these two I shall get right on the ones in the gallery. :)
thank you  :up:

[Mhayes]

Kate,

I am so sad to see what Vermont is going through. I don't know if you have been following the forum, but if not here is the link you should look at: http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,3329.0.html The headline is a little confusing as it also concerns Vermont.

We already have two volunteers in the Vermont area that are starting to get things organzed for a copy run. The most important thing is getting the word out how to save the photos once people can return to their homes. If left unchecked mold will destroy the photos.

As far as organizing a copy run, you need to wait at least 3 to 6 months. If you come in too soon, you will be in the way of clean up. We have had a run done by a volunteer in the flooding area about a month later and only one person showed and the same for a run 3 months later. Plus, right after a flood it is hard to get the information out to those flooded. We are hoping for a spring copy run for Vermont and maybe by special appointment for those who want to come earlier.

Right now it seems like major disasters are coming one right after the other and that brings up the subject of manpower and finances. When I sent out a newsletter asking for donations of---$2 to $5--we had only 24 volunteers respond and we collected $2,514 and $1,675 of that came from the inner team. At this pace we are going to fall short in our ability to help. DigMyPics donates for printing and shipping, but this no longer comes from their own service as they have dropped pinting--instead it comes as a donation from Scott Crossen/DigMyPics for printing and shipping. At some point OPR has to help pick up part of the printing cost.

I know times are tough and those who regularly restore are doing their part, but when you have an organization of over 2,000 and only around 100 volunteers restoring; it makes it hard to help more people hit by disasters.

Sorry to get off the subject a little, but it is so frustrating to see so many disasters and realize that we will help as best we can.

Margie

Footnote: We later had a volunteer that in lieu of a gift for his retirement party asked that donations be make to Operation Photo Rescue. From that we received a check for $790 --a wonderful gift!!

[Oldfaded]

Thank you Margie its hard to swallow as Im sure the rest of the east coast is feeling as well.
This kid and a few others got together and did a teeshirt donation website. I befriended him on facebook, so he may be of help at some point.
http://www.facebook.com/Emack85
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This was created by a girl who was in New Orleans and wanted to put her learned skills to work here:
http://vtresponse.wordpress.com/
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If there is any list you can give me I can email people and ask for donations. I have NO clue of how to do it, what to say which is important.  Words and I dont work real well together. I can think it! but cant write or speak whats in my head. :(
BUT at any rate, let me know what I can do to gather donations.
May I post that OPR will be in Vermont at some point after things have settled down?
Wow! what a wonderful donation!! Yay and kudos!!
I dont thinks its truly off the subject as money is part of the equation always is...
I SO hope I didnt set myself up. This guy in this video Scott McNally, I sent a friend request and asked him to not throw out his photos that I can restore them when things calm down a bit.. I did say he could mail me a few of his most treasured items, hopefully thats not a shoebox!!...hahaha
http://www.wcax.com/story/15405376/photos-washed-away-by-vt-flooding-return-home
Again Margie, let me know what I can do, and I will let you know if Im able to do it.
thanks so much!

[Mhayes]

Hi Kate,

Thanks for the links. The tee-shirt idea is interesting and the one thing that we have to be careful of is that it is a donation rather than us selling them. Our present 501 (c) 3nonprofit status does not allow us to sell merchandise. The 2nd link would be a good place once things are in place to announce a copy run.

At the present time, we are fortunate to have Mike Sluder in charge of raising funds, more specifically in the area of sponsorships and grants. Coming from the corporate world Mike knows what is required. Often it means giving information about our 501 (c) 3 status and being specific about what our needs and the dollar amount. Up until about a month ago, OPR did not have official letterhead and envelope to mail out request. Thanks to Glenna and her design work---we do now!

Currently I have joined a n nonprofit organization (fee required) called Mainstream Inc. that helps nonprofits raise money. We are just in the preliminary stages so I don't have anything to report.

Yes Kate, I will let you know how you can help. The best bet is keeping us informed on what is going on and best organizations to contact when we get ready for our copy run.

Thanks,

Margie

P.S. I just got an email requesting that we come to North Carolina to help.

[Oldfaded]

I will do that Margie.
Thanks for all the info and I will keep posting what I find out here.
Thanks bunchies!