Held over the weekend, Bridgeport Emergency Service’s flood collection drive did not bring in as many items as last year’s drive held for Southern West Virginia flood victims, but it was a success nonetheless.

 

“We didn’t give as much notice this year and it wasn’t overly busy, but we did get about a half trailer full of items,” said Director of Bridgeport Emergency Services Laura Pysz.

 

The drive targeted clean-up items, such as water, cleaning supplies, bleach, mops, paper towels and similar items, which members of the community did supply. The collection drive was held at Bridgeport Fire Department Saturday and Sunday.

 

Pysz said she has reached out to emergency managers in local areas affected by late-July flooding to determine needs. Thereafter, supplies collected will be sent to appropriate areas.

 

“For example, Wallace right now is only asking for pillows, blankets and those types of items,” she said.

 

Pysz said the city is also working with Meadowbrook Mall, which recently held its own collection drive, so that deliveries to specific areas won’t be duplicated.

 

“I’m working with TJ Shaffer, head of mall security,” Pysz said. “The mall has been accepting donations for a week and a half now. It was a huge drive.”

 

Meadowbrook Mall Marketing Director Robin Urquhart said response to the drive was overwhelming.

 

“We just posted our relief drive on the mall’s Facebook page for our shoppers and employees and the response was so great in just one week,” Urquhart said. “JC Penney also asked its employees to bring in donations. (The store) filled up on truck with everything from pillows and backpacks to clothing.”

 

The mall delivered one truck load Monday to the old train depot in Mannington and another truck is being sent out today.

 

“The folks in Mannington - where we’re dropping everything off - said that they are distributing items to Mannington, Worthington and parts of Harrison County that were affected,” Urquhart said.

 

Today and tomorrow, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) are working out of Bridgeport Municipal Building to perform public damage assessments.

 

“They wanted a neutral location to work out of and contacted us last Thursday to see if we could accommodate them,” Pysz said. 
 

Editor's Note: Photos show items collected during Meadowbrook Mall's recent flood relief collection drive.