United Way of Hancock County Coordinating Hurricane Relief Collection for Texas

United Way of Hancock County is coordinating a two-day collection of items needed for victims of Hurricane Harvey.

“Our community certainly understands the devastation that can be brought by flooding,” said John Urbanski, president and CEO of United Way of Hancock County. ”We have had several local residents asking us how they can help victims in Texas. We received a call from Chuck Bills at Ohio Logistics. He offered two semi-trucks and drivers to take items to Texas. Because of this generous offer, we are coordinating a collection drive for their most needed items. We will be working with the United Way state association in Texas to determine the community that will receive the truckload of items collected.”

Findlay Publishing Company is partnering with United Way to provide free publicity for the relief efforts.

The collection will be held on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 8 and 9 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. On Friday the trucks will be at Walmart, 1161 W. Trenton Ave. and Meijer, 2200 Tiffin Ave. On Saturday the trucks will be at Great Scot, 2021 Broad Ave and Kroger, 1996 Tiffin Ave.

Items accepted include bleach, work or cleaning gloves, mops, garbage bags, bottled water, toilet paper, diapers, baby wipes and feminine hygiene products. As patrons enter each store, they will be given a flyer listing specific items being collected. Items can then be dropped off as they exit the store.

Volunteers are being scheduled for 2-hour shifts to hand out shopping lists, collect donated items and sort and load items into the truck. To volunteer go to http://volunteerhancockcounty.org/need/ and sign up.

Individuals who would like to donate funds may drop off a donation at any First Federal Bank and request that the donation go into the United Way’s Harvey Relief Fund. Checks should be made out to United Way of Hancock County. Checks can also be taken to the United Way office, 245 Stanford Parkway, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Online donations can be made by credit card at http://liveunitedhancockcounty.org/harvey. All funds donated will go directly to assist flood victims.