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CLARKS SUMMIT- The robotics team at Abington Heights High School put their community above themselves for their latest fundraiser. During “Back to School Night” at the high school, the robotics team collected $296 to donate to the Red Cross to help flood victims in the area.

Every year, the robotics team organizes fundraisers to try and raise enough money to travel to competitions. This year the team decided that raising money for flood victims was more important than planning a fundraiser for themselves. Robotics team adviser Dan Vannan talked about how the fundraiser was started.

“Several students from the Robotics team approached me and expressed a desire to raise money and or goods for flood victims. A parent of one student offered to help. We decided to take monetary donations for the Red Cross at Back to School Night,” Vannan said.

Vannan thought that putting the needs of flood victims first was a great idea.

“Obviously any money raised throughout the year would help offset our costs, but in light of the devastation along the Susquehanna River, the Red Cross is obviously in much greater need of monetary assistance,” Vannan said.

The fundraiser was advertised the week before Back to School Night to have all of the students tell their parents about the upcoming event.

Parents, students and staff all donated.

Diocesan assistance

The Diocese of Scranton continues to offer assistance to flood victims as they strive to put their lives back together in the wake of devastation to their homes, businesses and institutions.

While urging everyone to pray for those affected, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera had directed that a special collection be taken up in all parishes for flood relief, beginning at Masses the weekend of Sept. 17-18. The Bishop also created a Diocesan Relief Commission to bring together the resources of the Diocesan Offices in order to develop a plan detailing how the funds raised through the special collection will be allocated.

So far that collection has raised approximately $220,000. Reports from parishes are still being received. Anyone who has not yet been able to participate in the collection can still support the relief efforts by making a donation to the Diocesan Relief Fund. Donations can be sent to a parish or to:

Diocesan Relief Fund Diocese of Scranton 300 Wyoming Avenue Scranton, PA 18503

The Diocesan Relief Commission recently hosted eight Intake Nights in parish communities that have been significantly affected by flooding. These sessions were held in Bradford, Luzerne, Lycoming, Susquehanna, Sullivan and Wyoming Counties. At each one, the Diocese provided gift cards worth a total of $75,850 to flood victims, enabling them to buy items they need, such as clothing or food, as they continue to recover and rebuild their lives. Staff from Catholic Social Services and various Diocesan offices, along with parish volunteers, were present at each session to help those attending register and receive assistance.

Flood victims who were not able to attend a Parish Intake session may contact Catholic Social Services Wilkes-Barre Office at 570.822.7118 or the Diocesan Office of Parish Life and Evangelization at 570.207.2213.

Bishop Bambera explained, “Our Diocesan response is intended to augment, not replace, the array of other organizations and funding sources that are providing assistance to flood victims. Many of our local parish and school communities have already opened up their hearts and volunteered significant time and energy to help those most affected, and all of these efforts represent our Diocesan-wide desire to provide basic assistance and continued support to our brothers and sisters in need.”

Wish lists on the web

A new website created by Tunkhannock residents makes it easier for flood victims to start over and lets neighbors help make their wishes come true.

The website, http://www.Our10.org, allows flood victims to create wish lists of household items they lost due to flooding. Once they create a list, other locals can browse their lists, find items they have to donate, then connect with the creator of the list to arrange for pickup or delivery of the items. The website is fully functional and can be used in future disaster recovery efforts and was designed to be used anywhere in the world.