Community pitches in for the youth center

The Delaware Youth Center (DYC) would like to thank everyone who has helped give it a good start on what is going to be a very long road to recovery. After the June flood, many individuals, families and businesses came to our aid with countless hours of work, donations of materials and the use of machines.

Donations to the Challenge Grant have totaled an amazing $40,000 plus, and every dollar has gone right back out again to our first priority—getting our caretakers back into their home. The cottage and Hermann Hall both have flood insurance and we are trusting that we will be reimbursed, but it remains to be seen what will be realized between insurance, state grants and FEMA. We have applied for everything available. However we repair Hermann Hall, it will have to be flood proof. Although the thought is very disturbing, we have to assume that this can happen again and deal with it. We will give much thought, consideration and research into replacing the floor in our great hall.

The Hortonville Volunteer Fire Department rescued our Summer Youth Program this year by providing a good substitute location. We are very grateful, but we also want our children to come home. To that end, rebuilding the picnic pavilion, which was not insured, is our next priority. As well as being key for the summer program, it is a source of rental income. A very generous unrestricted donation of $5,000 from the Winter Group, of New York City, gets us 10 percent of the way, a great start. We will have to build it so the waters run through it.

The children also miss the playground, which can’t be insured, either, and funds raised from the 5K River Run, the September 24 Golf Tournament and a private donor have been dedicated to getting its replacement started. Playgrounds are expensive, and ours will have to be built strong and set deep.

The Callicoon Business Association raised over $5,000 for the center through numerous events, including “A Midsummer Night’s Swing,” which was enjoyed by folks ages two to 82. The Canoe Regatta sponsors insisted we keep their donations even after the event was cancelled. Tom Freda’s kayak raffle had great results. The skateboarders held a car wash, sponsored by La Shed du Fred. A family held a Fun Day in their own yard. The Callicoon Theater held showings of “An Inconvenient Truth”—ironically a propos—to benefit the DYC. All these efforts add up and are greatly appreciated, since our own fundraising efforts have been severely curtailed.

One can really see what a great community we live in when misfortune strikes (although three strikes is enough, already!). When we need it, people step up to the plate and help us along. With their continued support, we are confident we will eventually put everything right again. Unfortunately, it may take awhile. We just wanted to say “thanks” for everyone’s immediate response in helping us on our way.

The Delaware Youth Center Board of Directors

Callicoon, NY