How you can help flood victims
Columbia County
Make a monetary donation:
The United Way of Columbia County is accepting donations that may be designated to a specific city or community. Click here to donate. The address is P.O. Box 538, Rainier, OR 97048. Hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
WAUNA Federal Credit Union inquiry@waunafcu.org, (800) 773-3236, 101 Truhaak St., Clatskanie, OR 97016 - designate to "Columbia Co. Flood Victims Account" or to the "Clatsop County Flood Victims Account"
Columbia Pacific Food Bank, (503) 397-9708, 474 Milton Way, St. Helens, OR 97051 – may be designated to specific city or community in Columbia County
DONATE ITEMS:
On Monday, Columbia County officials released a list of donated items needed:
Disposable cameras
Hand sanitizer
Electric heaters
Masks
Leather gloves
Rubber gloves
Boxes
Duct tape
Tarps
Matches/lighters
Shovels, flat
Rakes
Coveralls
Hand Trucks
Utility Knives
Bleach
OFFICE SUPPLIES
Clipboards
Whiteboards/Dry Erase
Office furniture
File cabinets
Shelving
Vehicles
ANIMAL CARE
Animal feed/hay
Pet food
PERSONAL ITEMS
(please no general clothing, except as listed)
Underwear
Socks, shoes
Rubber boots
Rain gear
Winter coats
Knit caps/beanies
Bedding
Toiletries
Feminine products
Diapers, wipes
Laundry soap
Ibuprofen packets
BUILDING SUPPLIES
Sheetrock
Greenwall, sheetrock
2x4s
2x6s
A-19 insulation, mostly 22 ½
Pipe insulation, various
Floor vinyl
Doors, interior and exterior
Flexible heating duct,
10”, 8”, 9”, 6”
DROP SITES:
The following is a list of places to drop your donations, hours donations are accepted and what donations are accepted at each site. The donations will be distributed to areas of need throughout the county:
In Vernonia:
- Distribution Center: 998 Bridge St., Vernonia, until 6 p.m. each day; Cleaning supplies, firewood and space heaters
- Lincoln Grade School, 1246 Bridge St., Vernonia; Furniture, toiletry items, approved clothing
- Donations of hay for livestock can be taken to a covered area next to Vernonia High School
- Vernonia Cares, 627 Adams St., Vernonia; Non-perishable food only
Outside Vernonia:
- Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, 901 Port Ave, St. Helens; Taking all items, no perishable food, no clothing
- Scappoose Fire District; Taking all needed items, no perishable foods
- Western Heating and Cooling, Highway 30, Warren, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.; Call Darcy Nelson, (503) 543-5599
- Riverside Community Church, Rainier; Taking all items, no perishable food, no clothing; Call Kathye Beck, (503) 556-3614; (360) 562-6221
The list of items needed continues to evolve. To get the latest updates, click here.
Volunteer your time:
To volunteer help, donate items or ask questions regarding the flood recovery efforts, call (503) 397-7255, ext. 2286. If you want to volunteer, you can call the number and tell them how you can help. You will be called back and assigned a location and a task. You should be prepared to work, dressed in gloves, boots and work clothes.
Vernonia Flood Recovery
You can keep up with with latest on the recovery effort by clicking here to read an official blog. It includes updates on what donated items are no longer needed.
Red Cross
The Red Cross is requesting donations to offset the costs of helping flood victims. You can make donations online by clicking here. Instructions for making donations are on that Web site, including the address for those wishing to send checks. You can target your donation to "Oregon Floods" or "Washington Floods," but not to individual cities. For those people that do not have access to the Internet, they can call the Oregon Trail Chapter of the Red Cross at (503) 284-1234.
Give Blood
Because of the storm, blood donations are way down. People have been unable to keep their appointments and blood drives were canceled. The Red Cross is asking anyone eligible to give blood to please do so. For more information or to make an appointment, call 1-800-GIVELIFE.
United Way
Click here if you would like to donate funds to the United Way to help out.
Oregon Food Bank
You can drop off donations at several locations or make a donation online. Click here for information.
Columbia County Deputy Sheriff's Association
Donations of non-perishable food, bottled water and/or clothing can be dropped off at the Columbia County Sheriff's Office at 901 Port Avenue in St. Helens or at McBride Optometrist at 12370 S.W. 1st in Beaverton (this location will accept donations Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.). Donations will be accepted through Friday, Dec. 21.
Medical Teams International
They are helping coordinate volunteers to perform clean-up work and haul damaged goods out of flooded homes in Oregon and Washington. For more information, click here.
Lions Clubs
Christmas gifts are being collected and will be taken to the affected areas on Dec. 13. If you are interested in helping with the endeavor, you can call Paul Wilson at (503) 639-4648 or Bill Gerkin at (503) 332-4550.
Scappoose High School
The high school is teaming up with the Scappoose Fire Station's Share & Care Program to help fill 300 holiday food baskets. Scappoose students are also working to restock the empty Scappoose Food Bank by Dec. 20.
SHS has called on members of the community to help them pull it off. RMC U-Haul of Scappoose has donated a truck to house the food collections, Clark Signs has donated a sign for the truck and the fire department will provide the 300 boxes to fill. Passersby need only look for the big truck with the sign, "Fill it by Friday."
This week all entrance fees to SHS basketball will go directly to the cause. Spectators will also have an opportunity to "stuff a basket" and buy ready made $20 value holiday food baskets during games.
For any other donation information, please contact Scappoose High School at (503) 543-6376 or visit the high school's Web site.
Need some information added to the list? Send us an e-mail