SCRANTON — In times of need, Northeast Pennsylvania have responded again and again through the years, helping with relief efforts at home and afar.
Faced with massive destruction in several tornado-ravaged states, Times Shamrock Communications has partnered with local businesses to launch “Kentucky Care-a-van,” a community-wide relief effort to help people and businesses in several towns in southwest Kentucky and northeast Tennessee.
“There’s a major problem in Kentucky. People lost homes, lost lives,” said Terry Deitz, general manager of Times Shamrock Radio, Digital and Outdoor. “We’ve experienced this in NEPA and people came to our aid.”
Area residents can help by donating supplies, clothing and other essentials needed to help those impacted by the devastating storms.
Gerrity’s Supermarkets, PepsiCo in Wright Township, US Hydrations in Dupont, and Road Scholar Transport of Dunmore have joined the support efforts with donations, Deitz said.
The local relief effort is focused on sending essential supplies to the thousands left homeless as the result of tornadoes that also killed more than 90 people in a five-state area.
“I know people at a radio station down there,” said Deitz, “and I called to see if they were OK. One of their employees lost everything. I said, ‘How can we help?”
Times Shamrock, which owns four daily newspapers, several radio stations and billboards through Northeast Pennsylvania, will collect supplies desperately needed. Deitz said all nine area Gerrity’s Supermarkets will begin to collect the supplies through Jan. 4. Road Scholar, Bolus Trucking and Emiliani Transport will truck the supplies to hard-hit Bowling Green, Ky.
US Hydrations has committed a full tractor trailer of water and PepsiCo will send six pallets of Gatorade, Deitz said.
Area residents can drop off or purchase needed supplies at local Gerrity’s. The supermarket will have special pre-assembled supplies available for purchase.
Among the items most needed: New sheets, pillow cases, towels, wash cloths and blankets. Also hand sanitizer, soap, toothpaste, shampoo, shaving cream, razors, deodorant, diapers, sanitary products, pet food, toilet paper, bottled beverages, batteries, flash lights and snacks. The relief team is also asking for new coats, pajamas, sweatshirts, gloves, hats, children’s clothing and games.
Local companies can also donate needed supplies by calling the radio station at 570-207-8561
