ITHACA, N.Y. — Several local volunteers are headed to or already in Texas to help with Hurricane Harvey relief efforts after the storm impacted more than 50 counties, causing unprecedented flooding and destruction.

The Red Cross said in a news release Thursday that 57 volunteers from the region are headed to Texas.

Tompkins County volunteers include Nancy Hall from Trumansburg , Michael Parker from Freeville, and Michael Thomas from Ithaca.

Chief Communications Officer Jay Bonafede said in a statement, “The Red Cross is working very closely with the entire response community – government agencies, other non-profit groups, faith-based organizations, area businesses and others – to coordinate emergency relief efforts and get help to people as quickly as possible.”

He said that with so many volunteers, it’s hard to track down who is doing exactly what and where they are.

“Thus far, when I have tried to reach out to people who are on the scene, it’s been very very difficult (to reach them),” Bonafede said. “They’re so focused on doing the work that they need to do.”
However, he said media requests are being passed along.
Several local venues are hosting fundraisers to do their part helping with Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.
The Range, located in the Ithaca Commons above the Trader K’s, is also hosting “The Houston Benefit at The Range” from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Sept. 13. Donations will be accepted at the door. Click here for more information. The Haunt, located at 702 Willow Avenue is hosting a Hurricane Harvey benefit from 8 p.m. – 1 a.m. on Sept. 27. More information here. And Dance for Democracy is hosting a Harvey Benefit- Dance for Texas beginning at 9 p.m. Sept. 9 at Lot 10, located at 106 South Cayuga Street. More information can be found here. 
Here is a list of all the volunteers from the region who are headed to Texas:

CENTRAL NEW YORK (13):

Harry Dashnau, Baldwinsville

Edward Dienst, Skaneateles

Michelle Fiermonte, Syracuse

John Freebern, Camillus

Paula Hueber, Syracuse

Thomas Margrave, Cortland

Mark Paikin, Fayetteville

Michelle Pallix-Sopchak, Syracuse

Kathleen Prestemon, Skaneateles

Patricia Smarzo, Marcellus

Kenneth Stapleton, Cicero

Catherine Topple, Syracuse

Margaret Webber, Fulton

FINGER LAKES (4):

Judith Coleman, Corning

Gary DeWitt, Ontario

Lorraine Morris, Bath

Thomas Wallace, Elmira

GREATER ROCHESTER (14):

Joyce Alexander, Rochester

Lawrence Barone, Rochester

Dana Besaw, Canandaigua

Bernadette Bowie, Rochester

Lucille Frisicano, Webster

Gerald Lalonde, Naples

Patricia Masucci, Webster

Diana McLaughlin, Rochester

Sarah Perkins, Pittsford

Mark Sennett, Fairport

Sarah Sennett, Fairport

Paula Siviy, Webster

Beth Thomas, Canandaigua

Herbert Wolfe, Rochester

SOUTHERN TIER (14):

Lee Campfield, Apalachin

Lisa Cass, Kirkwood

Mary Jo Graham, Binghamton

Nancy Hall, Trumansburg

Charles Haupt, Owego

Rachel Kieltyka, Johnson City

Mary Louise Lyons, Endwell

Abigail Mack, Conklin

Kelly Myers, Greene

Michael Parker, Freeville

David Ruston, Binghamton

William Spangenburg, Vestal

Michael Thomas, Ithaca

Dianne Zavada, Vestal

WESTERN NEW YORK (12):

John Bieger, East Amherst

Ron Chwojdak, Silver Creek

Laurie Hagen, West Seneca

Norman Kehl, Strykersville

Robert Klinshaw, Lockport

Mark Kumro, East Aurora

Bogdan Miazga, Cheektowaga

Stuart Moore, Allegany

Joan Priebe, Depew

Nicole Roma, Dunkirk

Diane Sargent, Lockport

Terry Sweet, Portageville

Jolene Almendarez

Jolene Almendarez is Managing Editor at The Ithaca Voice. She can be reached at jalmendarez@ithacavoice.com; you can learn more about her at the links in the top right of this box.