| Offices : Beckley • Charleston • Fairmont • Martinsburg • Washington, DC | E-mail Senator Rockefeller |
July 16, 2001
SENATOR AND MRS. ROCKEFELLER TOUR FLOOD RAVAGED COUNTIES
Rockefellers Express Gratitude for Generous Corporate Donations
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) continued his assessment of the flood damage today by touring several devastated communities including Wyoming and Mercer counties. The Senator later joined his wife Sharon in McDowell County where they visited with residents, volunteers and local and state officials. Earlier in the day, Mrs. Rockefeller was joined by a representative of PepsiCo in Bluefield where they delivered thousands of gallons of potable water that had been donated by the Pepsi company.
During his visit to Fayette county last week, Rockefeller said, "Immediately following the floods, I visited some of the areas hardest hit. Even though I’ve seen this type of devastation many times before, I was astonished by what I saw – the dissolved roads, collapsed homes, and splintered bridges," Rockefeller said. "Fortunately, the clean-up process is already underway as federal disaster relief pours in. Organizations such as the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army have provided for residents’ most immediate needs, while agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have also begun processing damage claims."
Rockefeller continued, "Many have lost everything and, as they return to work and school, they will need the basic items we all take for granted. West Virginia has received many generous donations from companies and organizations who have stepped up and helped by supplying basic necessities. We are very grateful for all the support we have received from people and organizations all over the country."
In recognizing the enormous support that West Virginia flood victims have received thus far, Rockefeller praised many of the organization and companies who have donated their time, money, clothing and goods.
In addition to the generous donations from West Virginia companies, flood victims have received $190,000 in Sears’ children’s clothing from K.I.D.S. (Kids in Distressed Situations); water from PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Anheuser-Busch and Miller Brewing Company; food from Kraft; home improvement items, t-shirts and backpacks from Amazon; and a donation to American Red Cross for use in West Virginia from Phillip Morris. And, United Airlines will pick-up, transport, and deliver clothing from a Senate clothing drive sponsored by Senator Rockefeller.
Also helping in the effort are organizations like Americorps, who has sent 26 volunteers to help in the clean-up and the American Red Cross and Salvation Army who have been there since last week helping the flood victims. Along with these efforts, the Beckley VA Medical Center has been staffing a van which is traveling to various sites in the flood area to assist veterans with medications they may have lost, vaccines, nutrition items, medical supplies, bottled water and cleansers.
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