Published: August 11, 2007 07:30 pm         

Flooding still hurts

• Flooded families turn to COCAA, but agency was flooded itself

It’s been a difficult summer for Stillwater families and individuals who lost nearly everything in recent flooding.

It’s been almost as difficult for Central Oklahoma Community Action Agency, an organization devoted to assisting people experiencing crises such as homelessness, unemployment and medical emergencies.

When flood waters seeped into the 12th Street COCAA offices and six adjacent apartments in early June, numerous lives were turned upside-down — again.

Two families with children, two individuals and one couple were evacuated from COCAA apartments by boat with little more than their pets and the clothes on their backs.

It would be weeks before they would be allowed back in, and by then nearly everything would be soured and covered in mold. Their apartments, symbols of their growing self-sufficiency, would be uninhabitable, and they would face the insecurity of homelessness again.

“It was terrifying to find ourselves in the same position again,” said Anna, who found refuge at Stillwater’s Mission of Hope shelter last summer with her husband and 12-year-old son. By January, they had saved enough money from their jobs to move into one of COCAA’s transitional apartments.

But the flood that ruined the COCAA offices and transitional apartments affected more than the families and individuals who lived and worked on the premises.

“It’s been a struggle,” said COCAA Family Support Specialist Holly Smith, who has had to operate the office from her cell phone and limited space available at the Mission of Hope.

Even though the flooded apartment residents have been relocated, COCAA still needs office space to help low-income families and individuals needing food, clothing, prescriptions, utility assistance, emergency housing, rental and mortgage assistance, household items and disaster relief.

The fifth annual Boots and Bandanas Benefit Dinner on Aug. 23 at the White Barn Estates will support COCAA, Stillwater Mission of Hope and Stillwater Community Health Center.

In addition to a barbecue dinner, the event features a live auction of homemade confections and other specialties prepared by local celebrity chefs. The items can be previewed before and during dinner.

Contributing chefs are Bart Clark, Mary Emde, Deborah Green, Kristen Gundy, Sandy McNickle, Julie Lauvetz, Elizabeth Cyr, Martha McMillian and Marge McMillian.

Event chairman Alane Zannotti, a member of the Stillwater Community Health Center board, said she hopes the fundraiser will generate at least $20,000 this year for the three agencies.

“More than ever, we’re relying on the Stillwater community to support these agencies that help so many families and individuals who are trying to get back on their feet,” Zannotti said.

Tickets are $60 ($45 of each ticket is tax-deductible), and tables for eight are available for $450. Business sponsorships are also available for $500. For dinner reservations, call the COCAA office at 664-4453 by Monday.

To donate furniture, school supplies or other items to flood victims, call the Mission of Hope at 624-3671.

     

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