Earlier this month, remnants of Tropical Storm Lee caused historical flooding in towns along the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania and New York. 

Bethel residents Chris and Wendy Barnabo have family in Owego, N.Y., a town also affected by the flooding. 

"The destruction up there is unbelievable - over 90 percent of the commercial buildings downtown had flooding, many homes are destroyed, and the schools are seriously damaged," Chris said in an e-mail to Patch.

As a result, school has been delayed in Owego and, due to severe flooding in the elementary school, will start in a borrowed building in a nearby town.

To help, the Barnabos are collecting school supplies and donations to "help the students, families and teachers try to get school back to normal as quickly as possible."

The couple will be collecting supplies during the next few weeks, but is looking to make a large, initial delivery this Sunday, Sept. 8.

While grade specific school supplies can be found on the Owego Schools' website, general items include:

• Backpacks and lunch sacks
• Construction paper, art supplies, sharpies, white board markers/erasers
• Manila folders, easel pads/large flip charts, Post-Its, zipper bags (all sizes)
• Hand sanitizer, hand soap, cleaning wipes, paper towels, tissues
• Small coffee filters, juice boxes, classroom snacks (single serve bags, or large boxes of Goldfish, crackers, etc.)
• Games for the classroom (educational games or for indoor recess, etc.)
• Used or new books - any age appropriate books from easy reading to chapter books that the teachers can provide in the classroom (there is no school library at this point).
• Families are also in need of masks, gloves and hand sanitizer for work on their homes. 
• Gift cards can also be donated from Target, Wal-Mart or Lowes (these stores are still operating; many others are not).

All supplies can be dropped off at the Barnabo's home or at the Bethel United Methodist Church located at 141 Greenwood Ave.

Those unable to make donation of supplies can make financial donations on the Barnabo's website. All money donations will be used to purchase giftcards from Target, Wal-Mart or Lowes.

For more information, e-mail Chris or Wendy at  chris@spagnet.com or wendy@spagnet.com.