OUR VIEW: Winona area neighbors need our help
By Rusty Cunningham, publisher, on behalf of the Winona Daily News editorial board

The Winona area and all through the Seven Rivers Region has been through hell and high water.

We’ve lost neighbors, homes and cars. We’ve lost businesses and livelihoods.
Entire communities face the overwhelming challenge of rebuilding.

This mother of all storms has wiped out memories and memorabilia.

The muck is everywhere, and it’s covering everything — including our sense of security.

For all of the suffering, there have been heartening tales of heroism, volunteerism and human spirit.

Yet, for some of us, the raging rainstorm and flooding just doesn’t seem real.

Our photojournalists have produced stunning portraits of devastation, but it’s still difficult to really understand the devastation that this storm has caused.

But please understand: While you may have merely been inconvenienced with a wet lawn, there are folks in our region who are truly suffering.

As you look at the devastation and the faces of those waiting in line for aid, you can understand that there is awful pain and tremendous need for help.

That, dear friends, is what we need today. We need your help.

The River Valley Newspaper Group and its media partners throughout the region, in addition to many other caring businesses, are sponsoring fund drives to help our neighbors suffering from this flood of misery.

Here’s how you can help:

The Winona Daily News, along with the Winona Post, HBC and Winona Radio, are organizing a flood relief fund-raiser to benefit the Winona Area Flood Disaster Fund. Donations of cash, boots (rubber preferred), cleaning supplies and toiletries will be accepted from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. today at the old Underdahl Toyota, 121 Huff St., Winona. Volunteers will be on hand to collect.

The La Crosse (Wis.) Tribune, Houston County News, Vernon County Broadcaster and Westby Times will join local media outlets for 12 hours today to raise money for The American Red Cross for flood relief. From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., monetary donations for flood relief will be collected in front of the La Crosse Center, Nelson Agri-Center in Viroqua, Wis., and the City Auditorium in Caledonia, Minn.

The Kickapoo Valley Association is collecting food for flood victims in Vernon and Crawford counties. Bring nonperishable food to the following locations: Peoples State Bank, Soldiers Grove, Wis.; Bluedog Cycles, Viroqua, Wis.; Cashton Mercantile, Cashton, Wis.; George Wilbur Attorney/Celeste Gibson Office, La Farge, Wis.; Crooked River Resort, Readstown, Wis.; Westby House, Westby, Wis.; and L & M BP, Wauzeka, Wis. Donations are being accepted until 5 p.m. today.

The Winona Daily News editorial board also includes Darrell Ehrlick, editor, and Jerome Christenson, online editor. To comment, call (507) 453-3522 or send e-mail to letters@winonadailynews.com.

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