How You Can Help Ellicott City
UPDATED: 2:06 p.m., August 5
ELLICOTT CITY, Md. (WJZ) -- There are many ways to help those impacted by the deadly flooding that hit Ellicott City over the weekend.
Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman announced Thursday that volunteers to assist with damage clean up will be allowed into limited areas with staff supervision on West Main Street and one parking lot at the bottom of Ellicott Mills Drive.
More than 2,500 people have offered their help since the devastating flash floods.
"We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of offers for assistance – both through donations and people willing to volunteer. We hope to use the talent and energy of as many volunteers as possible as we recover from this devastating storm," said Kittleman. "However, I cannot stress strongly enough that safety is our top priority. We want to avoid anyone getting injured, and therefore cannot allow volunteers to work in areas that are not deemed safe."
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and able to pick up at least 40 pounds. Report to the Volunteer Center in the Walmart parking lot (3200 North Ridge Road) with a photo I.D. and work gloves and wear closed-toe shoes, long pants and sunscreen.
Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks will have staff available there from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
If your car was one of the 170 vehicles disabled in the storm, it's been towed to Centennial High School free of charge. Find out how to claim your car HERE.
On Monday, Kittleman and officials from local and state agencies held an informational meeting at the Ellicott City 50+ Center to answer questions from residents, business and property owners.
Afterwards, they announced that the center (9401 Frederick Road) will serve as a single location for those impacted by the flooding to get information about agencies and organizations that will be offering assistance with recovery efforts.
It will be open for that purpose between August 2 and August 5 (Tuesday and Wednesday from 2 to 7 p.m. and Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and August 8 to August 12 (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 2 to 7 p.m. and Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.).
For more information, call 410-313-2900.
Here are some other ways you can help:
GENERAL DONATION/VOLUNTEER/EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
- Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman says donations are needed in the form of food and cash. To contribute food, you're asked to contact the Community Action Council of Howard County. To learn more, CLICK HERE. Financial donations should be made to the American Red Cross Greater Chesapeake Region, Kittleman said.
- The United Way of Central Maryland has established a fund for donations to help those impacted by the flooding, at the request of Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman. 100 percent of all donations will go to humanitarian relief efforts there. To learn more, CLICK HERE.
- The Ellicott City Partnership has also setup a page to assist the flood victims of Ellicott City. To learn more, CLICK HERE.
- The destruction wreaked by the storm has left many people, from business owners to bartenders, out of work. If you can help them find work, visit this Facebook page called, "Keep Ellicott City Working."
- The Howard County Office of Workforce Development will hold an #ECStrong Job Fair on August 8 for employees impacted by the flood. Workforce Development is partnering with the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) and Howard County Economic Development Authority to identify immediate employment opportunities for displaced workers. Businesses seeking to hire individuals on a temporary or permanent basis -- contact the Office of Workforce Development at 410 290-2620 or email at owd@howardcountymd.gov.
- Preservation Maryland has set up a "technical assistance fund" for Ellicott City's historic buildings that were damaged.
GO FUND ME
- A family member has set up a GoFundMe account for Jason Barnes, whose store was damaged in the flooding. Barnes was one of several people praised by Kittleman after he was seen putting his own life in danger to rescue a driver trapped inside a car being swept away by floodwaters.
EVENTS/RESTAURANT FUNDRAISERS
- The Heavy Seas Beer Tap Room in Halethorpe will donate 50 percent of revenue made this weekend -- noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday -- to the Ellicott City Partnership.
- Alexander's Tavern in Baltimore is hosting a fundraiser on August 5.
- Fish Head Cantina in Baltimore is hosting a fundraiser on August 7.
- BareBones Grill is hosting a live music benefit for Ellicott City on August 5. Donations for the Ellicott City Partnership will be accepted at the bar all night long.
- Outdoor yoga at Hopewell Park in Columbia on August 6 will benefit Ellicott City
- On August 6 and 7, B Doughnut in Baltimore will offer a marshmallow doughnut, all proceeds from which will be donated to Ellicott City relief.
- Owners of Nacho Mama's and Mama's on the Half Shell in Baltimore say they will donate 20% of their sales this week to help the victims.
- Flying Dog Brewery in Frederick is donating proceeds from beer sales this weekend (August 6 and 7) to the Ellicott City Historic District Partnership, and folks from Flying Dog will also be at Baltimore's White Oak Tavern on August 7, where proceeds from beer and food sales will benefit the same cause.
- On August 7, Great Sage (5809 Clarksville Square Drive, Clarksville) will donate 10% of sales to the Ellicott City Partnership.
- On Aug. 8, Daniel's Restaurant and Open Air Bar in Elkridge will match 100 percent of its burger sales with donations to Ellicott City relief.
- Smaltimore (2522 Fait Avenue, Baltimore) will host an Ellicott City fundraiser August 10.
- A yoga fundraiser will be held at Black Flag Brewing Company (9315 Snowden River Parkway, Suite C). Suggested donations of $20 per participant will go to The Ellicott City Partnership.
- Caton Tavern in Catonsville will donate 50 percent of the funds raised from its August 27 Caton Fest to Ellicott City's recovery.
- Victoria Gastro Pub (8201 Snowden River Parkway) is hosting a benefit beer festival on August 27.
PRODUCTS
- A Baltimore design business has created t-shirts in a show of support for Ellicott City. Bearing the message "Rebuild Ellicott City, Rise Above the Water," the shirts are designed by Mojo Art & Image. Proceeds from t-shirt sales will go to Ellicott City Downtown Partnership to help with flood recovery efforts.
- An Etsy shop has created an Ellicott City "Hope's Higher Than Water" sticker, and profits will go toward the relief fund. You can find it HERE.
- 100% of net proceeds from the sale of this "Historic Ellicott City, Md." shirt will benefit small business owners effected by the flood.
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