Dear Friends,

This past weekend a lot of clean up was done downtown and in Ed Browne's Meadow. In total, 108 homes and businesses in Lumberton were damaged during the flood. About 78 homes still do not have electricity, and many of the basements that were pumped dry have filled back up with water because the ground water level is still so high. So needless to say, there still is quite a bit more work that needs to be done before most of the homeowners can start repairs.

More Volunteers Are Needed: Volunteers are needed this week, on the weekend and into next week to continue to help clean out the homes. There are several older home owners that especially need help lifting and moving furniture and appliances. If you can make the time to help your neighbors, it will be greatly appreciated. To volunteer, all you need to do is go down to the municipal center during day time hours dressed in long pants, boots and a long sleeve shirt. You will also need an ID card to get into a Disaster Area. The recovery team at the municipal center will direct you to a home that needs your help.

Official Federal Disaster Area: Earlier this week, President Bush officially declared the flood affected areas of Burlington County a Federal Disaster Area. This makes a lot more federal resources including grants for temporary lodging and low interest loans available to homeowners and businesses effected by the flood. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has set up a Disaster Relief Center at the Lumberton Middle School. The center is open from 10:00 AM until 8:00 PM each day. Victims of the flood need to apply for aid from FEMA to be eligible for aid.

Storage Space Needed: As many of the homeowners clear out their homes, they are left with nowhere to put their salvageable belongings while repairs are made to their homes. If you have extra garage space that you would like to make available to a neighbor, please fill out the Lumberton E-News Contact Form and include the word "garage" in the comments box.

Supplies Needed: More cleaning supplies are needed. Here is a list of items are being requested: Paper towels, hand wipes, bath towels, cleaning rags, laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, scrub brushes, Lysol and other cleaning products.

Financial Donations: Financial donations to the "Lumberton Township Disaster Relief Fund" and the Burlington County Red Cross Relief Fund are being taken at the Lumberton Branch of Commerce Bank. Checks can also be mailed to Commerce Bank, 1636 Route 38 East, Lumberton, NJ 08048. The Lumberton Township fund will benefit flood victims in Lumberton only. The Burlington County Red Cross fund will benefits flood victims throughout Burlington County. Commerce Bank is matching all donations to the Burlington County Red Cross Relief Fund up to $10,000. Cendant Mortgage has also donated $10,000 to the Burlington County fund.

The Fair Goes On: The Burlington County Farm Fair will go on as scheduled starting Wednesday, July 21st through Saturday, July 24th. The fair will be held at the Village Green on Main Street in Lumberton. Parking will be in the business buildings along the 541 Bypass. A shuttle bus will take people from the lots to the Village Green. Parking will be $7.00. The county will also set up a temporary traffic light at Bobby's Run Boulevard and Earyestown Road to help with the detoured traffic. The downtown area will remain closed off. The Lumberton Police Chief has made it clear that the police will arrest any non-residents trespassing in the area. This is in response to the concerns of the flood victims who are not in their homes and their past experiences with fair related vandalism and theft.

Farm Fair Fundraiser: Karen and Bill McBride, the managers of the farm fair, are coordinating the sale of 50/50 tickets ($20.00 each) to benefit the flood victims of Lumberton. There will be a booth at the farm fair. Volunteers are still need to man the booth. They plan to have two adults for two hour slots from 4:00-10:00 PM Wednesday - Friday and all day on Saturday. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Karen or Bill at 267-1204.

Thanks again to everyone who volunteered to help. I will send out more information as it becomes available. Please continue to keep our neighbors in your thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,