Why give to United Way? American Red Cross can tell you January 25, 2015, Special to the Sun-Gazette Lycoming County United Way provides funding to 32 local human service programs. We could share countless stories with you about the individuals helped by the thousands of dollars we put into the community each year, but we would like you to hear it, this time, from a personal perspective. Over the next four days, you will have the opportunity to read about some of the valuable programs in Lycoming County and the impact the programs and your dollars are having on the people they serve. Dec. 18 was another typical day for the Bilbay family of Muncy. Christmas was approaching and Melinda and her six children had spent many days decorating their house and anticipating the best day of the year. It was that afternoon that Melinda received a devastating phone call from her neighbor. The fire department and police had been called because Melindas house appeared to be on fire. Frantic with fear, Melinda raced home as quickly as possible. By the time she arrived, the police and fire department were already on the scene and working in full force to try to save her familys home. I couldnt even look at my house. I was shaking terribly, Bilbay said. The fire resulted in a total loss of the familys home. Possessions were gone: Memories were all that remained. The blaze had begun on the top floor of the home and burned its way down, destroying practically everything. Nothing was protected, and so the house and everything inside was deemed a total loss. The shock was instant. The Red Cross immediately responded to the family, working as best as they could to restore security and hope. The Red Cross knew what I needed before I even knew I needed them, Melinda Bilbay said when asked about how the Red Cross helped her and her family during this time. She explained that they made her feel as comfortable as possible, arriving within an hour, and working through the sheer stage of shock that her family was experiencing. If the Red Cross was not there to help us, I dont know if we would have known what to do, she said. Volunteers wrapped her in a blanket to help keep her warm and calm her down. I just could not get warm. I was shivering and shivering, Bilbay said. The Red Cross also supplied the Bilbay family with fresh clothes, food and the temporary shelter of a hotel. The volunteers then helped the family begin the long process of recovery. During tragedies such as this, there seems to be no direction, no light at the end of the tunnel for those affected, and this is where the Red Cross keeps a calm and focused head. Red Cross volunteers supplied support for the family when they most needed it. With the fire, the Bilbay family experienced one of the most tragic events a family can imagine. It is utterly devastating to lose a home, filled with memories and love. Thankfully, no one was home or hurt in the fire. While the Red Cross cannot bring back their home, they are able to restore hope for the familys future. When disasters strike, the American Red Cross responds. Lycoming County United Way is proud to support the programs offered at the American Red Cross. With your help, we can continue to help individuals like Melinda Bilbay, and her family, make positive changes in their lives. Join us, along with our media partners, in our Jan. 29 efforts to raise $200,000. Visit us at lcuw.org, call 323-9448, or stop by to make a donation at One West Third Street, Suite 208. We cannot do it alone, but united, we can! (This article was written by Tom Szulanczyk of the American Red Cross.)
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 14:50:49 +0000
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