Search and Rescue Group Needs Donations

Delaware Water Gap, Monroe County - A group that rescues people is now looking for some help of its own. Northeast Search and Rescue estimates its volunteers put in more than 600 volunteer hours and spent more than $1,000. That's a lot on their shoe string budget.

The team was prepared to work with Pocono Search and Rescue to respond to any emergencies during Hurricane Sandy. Chief Bruce Barton said he was prepared "to do a joint task force so that if there was flooding in this area or anywhere else in the state we had boats ready and man power ready to do that."

They were ready but no one needed to be rescued so the group focused on other missions. They helped the National Guard cut trees and deliver water. "They were hauling it and we were getting them to the locations 'cause they didn't know the area," said Barton.

Search and Rescue volunteers also organized the pet area at the Red Cross "mega shelter" at East Stroudsburg University. They did it because they know some people won't seek shelter if their pets can't go with them. Barton added, "When we were down at Katrina we actually had people who told me right to my face 'I'm not going to leave unless you can take my animals.'"

The work and training are expensive so Northeast Search and Rescue is asking the public for donations. Volunteer Ken Porter said, "Someday it might be their Autistic children or their father or somebody that walks away and needs to find them."

You can donate online at http://www.nesar.org/.