Bensalem Residents Seek Aid Online After Flooding Disaster

BENSALEM, PA — After severe thunderstorms and flash flooding devastated Bensalem and other parts of eastern Pennsylvania Monday, many community members need support.

PEMA is still evaluating the damage to the area to determine whether the state and federal governments will provide individual and public assistance. Governor Wolf said he will be speaking with federal officials about how this process can more quickly and effectively help those impacted by disasters in the future. Bensalem officials have also frequently updated their resource offerings, sharing opportunities for aid in finding shelter and recovering towed vehicles.

But some lost almost everything in the flood, and need help now — so they’re turning to their communities, and to GoFundMe. In many cases, friends and loved ones are seeking support for those they know who have suffered in the disaster.

One woman seeks to raise $5,000 for her daughter and boyfriend, who lost their home and belongings in the flooding.

“Just looking to get the kid a little relief and let him know he’s not alone,” said a friend of disabled veteran Vince Burton, who lost his apartment. His friend hopes to collect $5,000.

“Let’s be her village,” said a friend of a mother of two young kids, in a fundraiser for $6,000 to help the family.

Vickie Pacheco’s daughter created a fundraiser for $10,000 to help her mother, displaced from her Lafayette Gardens home, get a new bedroom set, furniture, and clothes while she looks for permanent housing.

A friend is seeking $4,000 to help Brianna Ali, a rising senior at LaSalle University whose family lost their home and many of their belongings in the flooding.

Army veterans Kate and Roger are hoping for $5,000 to recoup some of their losses in the disaster as they look for a new home.

“If you know anything about my family, especially my brother, we will give you the shirt off our backs,” said Stephanie Impriano in a $10,000 fundraiser for her brother, Chris.

Another fundraiser seeks $50,000 for a hairdresser and plumber who lost everything but their cats in the flooding.

Karen Sassler and her children are trying to raise $2,000 to help their dad, Ben Sassler, replace some of his property after his displacement from Lafayette Gardens.

A four-month-pregnant Aaliyah and Alex and their many pets are living in a hotel room using their savings after their condo was condemned. They’re hoping to raise $7,000.

Dena, Eric, and their kids are seeking $10,000 after being rescued from their home by boat.

“Their car and everything they own was completely ruined,” said Tiffany Waldron in a $6,000 fundraiser for her sister and her sons, all residents of the Lafayette Gardens condominium.

Employers of parents in the Tibbett Family are hoping to raise $50,000 to help the family repair extensive damages to their home and car.

“We lost a ton of stuff, but most painfully we lost record covers for upcoming releases and a good amount of newer releases inserts, covers, and in some cases the actual vinyl as well,” said a representative from the home office of FDH Records and Suicide Bong Tapes, hoping to raise $2,000.

The Goodharts, a family with no flood insurance, lost their home. A GoFundMe by a family member seeks $40,000.

These people have all suffered profoundly in this force-of-nature occurrence. If you or someone you love has been impacted by the flooding, you may reply to this article and share additional ways that our readers can support flood victims.

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