August 31, 2017

Contact: Jane Lerner, Director of Strategic Communications
Office of the County Executive (845) 638-5645
lernerj@co.rockland.ny.us

Rockland County Executive Ed Day Announces Relief Efforts for Texas Hurricane Victims and Pets

NEW CITY, NY – Rockland County Executive Ed Day announced a series of measures being undertaken to help the hurricane victims in Texas.

"The people of Rockland County have a long tradition of rushing to offer help," he said at a press conference at the Rockland Fire Training Center. "Now, the people – and pets – of Texas need help and we are on it."

Rockland County has sent a medical team to Texas and is now collecting funds for victims as well working with Hi Tor Animal Care Center to provide for animals uprooted by the disaster, the County Executive said.

The Rockland Disaster Medical Assistance Team, known as DMAT, has already deployed and is on the ground in Texas.

This team is headed by a Rockland County EMS coordinator Kim Lippes.

She and several other current and former County employees on the team have already arrived in Texas.

"They represent the best of Rockland County," Day said. "We thank all of them for their service and look forward to welcoming them home.

Day also announced that the Rockland County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, VOAD, has been activated for the first time, which will enable Rockland residents to donate to disaster relief efforts.

"At this point, there is no way to get donated goods to Texas. We can't take clothes or shoes or furniture," he said. "We can take financial donations because money will be the most help to people who have lost everything."

He also urged people to contact Hi Tor Animal Care Center in Pomona, which will be receiving cats and dogs from the flood zone that are in need of care, including foster homes.

The Rockland County Animal Response Team is working with Hi-Tor and a network of animal shelters across the nation to take in these animals.

The County Executive was joined by Steve Harris, Mike Sanducci and Debbie DiBernado of Hi Tor, who spoke about the preparations underway to receive refugee cats and dogs.

"Hi Tor also needs your help so these cats and dogs can be taken care of," the County Executive said. "They are asking for donations of supplies and, of course, money."

The VOAD was formed after Superstorm Sandy when county and non-for-profit leaders saw a need to coordinate efforts to deliver assistance when it was needed the most

United Way of Rockland County worked together with county to form this coalition of organizations that will collaboratively plan, coordinate and implement disaster preparedness and response.

County Executive Day was joined by several members of the VOAD's Executive Board, including: Chris Jensen of the Rockland County Office of Fire and Emergency Services; Dana Treacy, president of United Way of Rockland; Diane Serratore of People to People; Kathy Galione of the Rockland Conservation & Service Corps; Joe Zweig of Jawonio; Brian Gerber representing the Red Cross and businessman Howard Hellman.

How to Help:

Donations can be sent to the Rockland County VOAD through United Way of Rockland County, 35 Main Street, 2nd floor, Nyack, NY 10960. Write Hurricane Harvey on the check or mark on form.

The Hi Tor Animal Care Center, 65 Firemen's Memorial Drive, Pomona, NY, 10970, is accepting pets from the flood zone and needs foster families to help these animals.

The shelter is looking for donations to help pay the costs. Hi Tor also needs: blankets, towel, sheets, fans, bowls, leashes, pet beds, toys, cotton balls, rubber gloves, paper towels, bleach, garbage bags, rubbing alcohol, anti-bacterial soap, newspapers, dish soap, laundry detergent, sponges, brooms, mop heads, shovels, pooper scoopers and cleaning supplies.