Many thanks from a flooded out resident

The Whitcomb Building in Springfield was hit by flash flooding on July 27. As a result of this storm, seven apartments on the first floor had water damage. The power was knocked out to the whole building. The rest of the 72 apartments were also evacuated.

On Aug. 9, most of us came home. The flooded apartments are still being repaired. 

We have so many people to thank for their help and support during our time of need. Springfield Fire was on the scene to keep us safe, calm and organized. Little did anyone know that the basement of the Fire Station was flooding at the same time. When they told us to evacuate; people really came through for us. 

Karen Foley, director of emergency services for the Red Cross, Reverend George Keeler, The Springfield Community Disaster Team, Springfield Warming Shelter volunteers all jumped into action. The North Springfield Baptist Church provided transportation to get people where they needed to go and much more. 

Thanks to Springfield Health and Rehab for taking people in, to the Holiday Inn Express for giving special rates, to the Huber Building and other SHA locations for taking people in. Thanks to Springfield Hospital Emergency Department for providing a bed and bedding for people staying at the Huber Building. 

Thanks for the meals that were provided by Susan Levine at Meals on Wheels, Turning Point Recovery Center, any many other Restaurants and Deli’s around town. Residents of the Huber Building even provided breakfast a few mornings to make people feel welcome. Thanks also to the very nice lady that dropped off fresh veggies, even though we did not get her name.

Thank you to the Springfield Library for the Rock Project and reading materials. Thanks also to Reverend Malcolm Fowler and the Calvary Baptist Church for the cribbage games and movie nights. Let’s not forget the Springfield Cinemas 3 for the snacks to go with the movies.

Thank you to Dave at All Seasons Construction for providing a list of contractors who fit us into the schedule on very short notice. The list includes Adams Excavating and Trucking, All Seasons Construction, Brookfield Services, Carpet King & Tile, Casella, Catamount Environmental, Dubois & King, Final Electric, Green Mountain Drywall, Green Mountain Power, HB Plumbing & Heating, Interstate Electric, Miller Construction, Royal Group, Serve-Pro, W.R. Painting, U.S.A. High Voltage, and V-Tel.

Thank you to Comcast and the Eagle Times for giving us some credit on our bills for services we were not able to make use of. Too bad V-Tel did not get on board with that part. 

BIG THANK YOUs to the office staff of the SHA for being available to us from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. until we were home and the maintenance staff for going above and beyond. The maintenance people were in the building getting refrigerators cleaned out, removing trash, and taking care of our “furry children” that we were forced to leave at home. SASH was very hard at work making sure we had everything we needed and making phone calls. Volunteers were at the building checking us in and out while we retrieved more items that we needed. 

I tried to get as many names as possible for this letter. There are so many that it is difficult to know if I included everyone. Just know that if you were not mentioned, I apologize and thank you. Please know that we all appreciate everything. 

Finally, “Thank you” to my personal heroes, Shaw’s for saving my frozen food (pays to shop local) and to Bill and Pat Handly (my adopted extended family) for keeping me and my cat off the streets. 

Again, a HUGE THANK YOU to all who helped out the tenants of the Whitcomb Building.

Brenda Markwell

Springfield