The Tucker County BOE Office is filled with donations from area residents. Lana Oaster helps collect supplies that will be sent to those impacted by the floods Thursday in West Virginia.
By Beth Christian Broschart
The Parsons Advocate
PARSONS – About 31 years ago, the Parsons High School building was occupied by folks left homeless because of massive flooding that destroyed homes, businesses and took many lives in the area. On Thursday, that building was stuffed with donations to help others in West Virginia who lost their homes and businesses because of flash flooding to the South.
Tucker County Family Resource Center Director April Oaster Miller said the scene brought back many memories for her.
“That facility, the annex where the supplies are being gathered, served as a shelter for those of us hit by the flood of 1985,” Miller said. “Families pretty much lived in the upstairs of the annex during 1985 because they had nowhere else to go.”
Miller said she was 17 years old during the 1985 flood. She said seeing everyone come together to help those affected by Thursday’s flooding, and those seeing those items in the same place where Parsons area residents were seeking refuge during 1985 was an interesting turn.
“I thought it was great we were able to use the same place to collect stuff for someone else. It’s kind of been an emergency place and now we are able to give back,” she said. “I remember getting a tetanus shot there, and the kitchen was utilized to prepare meals for those living through the flood of 1985.”
Miller said some of her classmates that lived through the 1985 flood and have moved away contacted her and wanted to help. “Even folks who do not live here any longer – I would call them flood veterans – wanted to help those who are facing what they went through years ago. These folks remember that pain and they know what those communities are going through. Some are sending funds, and others are bringing supplies while coming to visit during the holiday.”
She said they will probably need to make more than one trip to deliver supplies. “We are looking at taking supplies to Clay and Fayette counties because they are smaller – Clay County is kind of cut off like Parsons.”
She said more than 100 people and more than four groups including the Rubenstein Center, WVU Extension, Tucker County Prosecuting Attorney, Sirianni’s Pizza, Tucker BOE and Children’s Advocacy Center donated more than four jam packed truckloads of supplies.
“More than 10 volunteers donated close to 100 hours of their time to help organize, pack and deliver supplies to the flood ravaged areas in West Virginia,” Miller said.
Collection sites for supplies included the Tucker County BOE, the Tucker County Family Resource Center, Parsons Shop ‘n Save, the Tucker County 911 Center, Parsons City Hall, Parsons Volunteer Fire Department, Performance Motors of Parsons, Mountain State Brewing Company, Thomas City Hall and the Bear Paw Lodge at Canaan Valley State Park.
