Festival vendors fundraise for Helene vicitms

BERWICK, COLUMBIA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — An effort by a group of local vendors is underway this weekend to help those suffering from the devastation of Hurricane Helene.

Several small businesses at the annual event will send part of their proceeds to points south.
Those vendors tell me they want to help. As tens of thousands try and piece it back together in their lives.

Whether it’s this kind of donation or this kind of donation, it’s all going a long way. Several vendors are sending a portion of the money they raise at Berwick Riverfest down south to the victims of Hurricane Helene.

“After the Bloomsburg Fair, I was watching the news and I go wow how devastating,” said Marcy Sheeler the owner of Marcy’s Orangeade.

That’s when Sheeler thought this festival would be a great opportunity to help.

“I contacted Riverfest and the Salvation Army and Riverfest allowed me to do this,” says Sheeler.

“There was really no hesitation. When there’s tragedy we rally. Sometimes it’s tragedy here. Sometimes it’s tragedy elsewhere. It doesn’t matter,” added Damien Scoblink the Berwick Borough manager.

And Sheeler was able to get close to a dozen vendors on board out of the more than 150 food and craft vendors on hand.

Volunteers here at Donuts Made Fresh by Summer Hill Volunteer Fire Company say the donations coming into their stand have been so overwhelming.

“I have never seen people so willing to put money in a box to help them. I hope they get what they need to get life back to order,” stated Jackie Kern a volunteer at the Summerhill Volunteer Fire Company.

Another participant includes a stand that’s been here for more than a decade Denny and Pearl’s Pizza.

One of their customers on Saturday wishes he could do even more but knows even this small effort will have a big impact.

“If I had my own helicopter or a boat I would be down there trying to help out as much as I can. It’s always we the people need to stick together so definitely need to show that proof,” continued Jeremy George from Berwick.

“We all have to help each other no matter where you are from, or what you do. They’ve lost everything. I can’t imagine,” added Sheeler.

Sheeler says the donation boxes are sealed and the amount raised is kept a secret until the Salvation Army counts the amount after the event.

She hopes the vendors will raise more than $3,000.

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