Vernonia Flood Victims Search for Temporary Housing

The Lions Club as a special project to bring travel trailers to these families as temporary living shelters.

Vernonia was seriously affected by recent floods as were neighboring communities. The Lions Club is asking for your help by donating travel trailers or cash assistance. Photo courtesy: Chris Updegrave

(VERNONIA, Ore.) - More than 60 families in Vernonia, Oregon are in need of temporary housing due to the recent flood damage last December. Reconstruction is underway for most of the damaged homes, but financial and housing assistance in the interim is slow or non-existent.

But crews assisting these families say they are in need of used travel trailers to put on their property while the repairs are being completed.

International Lions Club members in the greater Portland metro area and the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation, are joining together to appeal to the general public to donate used travel trailers in good condition.

In lieu of donating a travel trailer, cash donations to be used for temporary housing and other support, are also being accepted.

A general meeting for displaced families and their housing needs is being held on Sunday, February 17th 2008, at 2:30 PM at the Buckhorn Restaurant, 934 Bridge Street, in Vernonia. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Donated trailers will be used primarily for sleeping and dining while homes are being rebuilt. Currently, displaced families are sleeping in their homes while repairs are being made. There is little or no insulation resulting in unusually high heating bills.

Being able to use a small travel trailer, for basic living needs will substantially cut costs for these families. Repairs to homes can take up to 18 months for completion.

Donations can be made to the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation- Vernonia Flood Victims Relief. Donations are tax deductible.

For more information or to donate a used travel trailer, or cash, please contact Lion Member Sharon Elder, in Portland, OR, at 971-570-8956 (email: Sharon.access@comcast.net)

Lions Club members in Oregon are part of Lions Clubs International, the largest service organization, with more than 1.3 million members, worldwide. All members are volunteers and their mission is to assist those in need. For more information about joining a Lions Club, please contact 503-413-8091.

On the Internet: Visit the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation website at orlions.org for additional information.