Building Hope, Rebuilding Community
Why the need for SALT?
On August 28, 2011 rain from Hurricane Irene fell at record levels, more than 13 inches within 30 hours, in the Catskill Mountains and coursed over an already saturated landscape. Rushing water quickly flowed out of the mountains, flooding streams, reservoirs, rivers and dams beyond recorded historic levels. Water overfilled the Gilboa reservoir and flowed over the dam at twice the cubic feet per second of Niagara Falls. A seven foot swell of water raced through the Schoharie Creek basin, engulfing every town in its path. About ten days later Tropical Storm Lee poured record rainfall on an already waterlogged region, bringing additional flooding and destruction.
Homes, businesses and farms were leveled. Roads, bridges, crops and livestock were decimated. The damage and upheaval for these communities was, and is, incomprehensible and profoundly devastating to this region. The sheer sense of loss, despair and helplessness temporarily paralyzed the region and its residents throughout the Schoharie basin.
It was clear that a multi-year recovery process was needed to bring families home and rebuild communities. As a result, less than two months later after the storms, Schoharie Area Long Term disaster recovery coalition was formed as a partnership of government, faith-based, social service, educational and other non-profit agencies as well as business and community organizations, to provide interagency resources, advocacy, healing, and recovery support to those affected by disaster, now and in the future.
Since then, SALT has been effectively facilitating recovery efforts and managing reconstruction across the region through implementation of a holistic needs assessment process, coordination of the case management process, facilitation of the unmet needs process for dispersing resources, and centralization of fund raising and communication. SALT has created a solid organizational infrastructure, hired five full time staff and 12 AmeriCorps VISTA staff, recruited excellent leadership, established national partnerships, and with the support of indispensable partners has accomplished a tremendous amount in a short period of time.
Saturday June 28th and Sunday June 29th SALT is holding two fundraisers to benefit the ongoing efforts to rebuild Schoharie County. Long Energy is proud to be a sponsor of the events and urges you to join us at one of the two events.
Saturday June 28th- Bounty of the County
The night will begin with celebrity guests the Fabulous Beekman Boys during cocktail hour at the covered bridge off Route 30 in Schoharie.Please park at the Carrot Barn and we will shuttle you to and from Cocktail Hour (5605 New York 30, Schoharie, NY 12157).
Then guests will be served a 4 course seasonal, gourmet dinner with locally grown ingredients, accompanied by beer, wine and spirits produced in Schoharie County. The menu will be prepared by a team of chefs directed by Nicole Brisson (executive chef at Carnevino’s in Las Vegas pictured below).
The night will end after a silent auction with prizes ranging from themed baskets by local businesses to tickets to various concerts and sporting events to advertising space in multiple media outlets. Click the words “silent auction” for specifics on prizes. CLICK HERE for menu information and registration.
Sunday June 29th- Farmers & Artisan Market
Last years market featured over 20 local artists and producers and showcased the bounty that Schoharie County has to offer including hand-crafted fine cheeses and other dairy products; pasture-raised meats, homemade fudge, cookies and candy; locally produced wine, beer and spirits; and herbs, as well as locally made candles, soaps, lip balm, lotions and salves, handspun yarn, felted items, wool blankets, quilts, handmade jewelry, pottery, hand-woven baskets, and photographs.
In addition, live music and a petting zoo made this a family friendly event. Various county restaurants also be offered food produced from local, seasonal ingredients. Learn more about this event and check out the photographs from last year by CLICKING HERE
