NORTHUMBERLAND -- Wendy Herrold asked the federal and state governments for $16,000, and they tactfully declined the 250 Little Leaguers she represented, but a Valley grocery-store chain and others are saying to forget the government, we will help. Especially Weis Markets Inc.
Mother Nature wreaked havoc on the Shikellamy Acorn Little League Park in Northumberland, causing about $16,000 worth of water damage to the playing field and concession stand during September flooding.
That concession stand supports the organization, said Herrold, league treasurer.
She said she was at a loss for words when the Federal Emergency Management Agency rejected her request for assistance by saying the league was ineligible for funding because the concession stand is not a primary residence. FEMA referred Herrold to the small-business loan department, and its officials denied her request as well.
By the time Herrold woke up Tuesday, community leaders and Weis Markets already had set plans in motion to help the children out.
"When we read this story, we knew we wanted to help," Weis director of public relations Dennis Curtin said Tuesday. "This area is our home, and we want to give back to this community."
Curtin said that starting Sunday, Weis Markets on Market Street and North Fourth Street in Sunbury will hold a special three-week "checkout" program.
Every person who checks out will be asked if he or she wants to make a donation to the Little League, Curtin said.
Weis Markets will match the donations up to $2,500, he said.
That news floored Herrold. "I don't even know what to say," she said. "This is all just amazing."
Herrold said the foundation of the concession stand cracked during Tropical Storm Lee, and the lowest price she found for repairs was about $8,000.
"This hit us pretty hard," she said Monday. "We are looking at every possible way to keep going forward."
Another $8,000 was estimated in lost kitchen equipment as well as gloves, bats and baseball gear.
Chris Burgess, vice president of the Sunbury Youth Baseball League, also responded to the call for help.
"I would be interested in sitting down with some of the board members from Shikellamy's Acorn Little League and seeing what we may be able to do to help them," he said. "Shikellamy youth sports are a combined group, including Sunbury and Northumberland, in basically every team sport with the sole exception of baseball. Northumberland has their league, and Sunbury has their league. We have an exceptional baseball complex here in Sunbury (the Persing Complex) and may be able to work something out to help those kids."
Burgess said it is all about helping the children.
"I would be very open and willing to discuss playing and league possibilities with them," he said. "It should never be about who lives on what side of the river. It should be about the kids in our community getting out, making friends, learning the sport of baseball and having a great summer."
Northumberland Mayor Len Zboray and Councilman Adam Klock were at the field Tuesday checking the damage when they learned that Weis and community members were stepping forward to help.
Klock said: "I think it's a great, very generous offer by the people at Weis and a terrific way to get a large number of small contributions. I like the idea that the burden of fundraising won't fall on only a few large donors. It's a smart way to get the community involved in saving the park."
Zboray agreed. "What a great thing Weis did for us," he said. "It is truly appreciated."
Herrold said she is the process of setting up arrangements to accept donations and also is organizing several fundraising events.
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