When Communities Pull Together

Great things happen when communities pull together.

Earlier this week, 5+ inches of rain fell continuously in Penn Yan, NY, Branchport, NY and other small communities in Yates County. Someone said it was more rain then the area normally receives in a month. The results have been devastating for the Village of Penn Yan and other areas of Yates.

That's where the great things are happening. People are pulling together to help each other out. Keuka College students and staff are all over town, moving material, cleaning up yards, scraping off mud. Great work. The Red Cross is doing what they do best, disaster services, shelters and food. Public Works and Emergency Services, pumping water, working on gas lines, clearing roads and debris. Churches and social service agencies, feeding, counseling, helping and praying. Police and Fire Departments, responding with command posts and organized leadership. The media has also played a significant and great role using social media like Twitter and Facebook to communicate information to residents quickly.

Private bloggers and websites have also played important roles. Here's one called In The Finger Lakes that normally let's people know about all the great opportunities there are in this area. In the past few days it has helped get the word out to people about the devastation and problems. Nice job. Take a look Here.

So what's happening in Penn Yan is a reiteration of what's good about most communities. People care about others in a crises and want to help and they do. More power to you Penn Yan and Yates County.  Keep it up and let's be glad we have each other to lean on.