United Way of Bucks County Makes Major Announcement

Bucks County's United Way got some good news recently to share with the community.

Bucks County's United Way got some good news, which it shared at a social media conference recently. All 27 food pantries in Bucks County were emptied after Hurricane Sandy, said Jamie Haddon, director of the Bucks County United Way. Haddon and the United Way staff got to work and recently received some good news that will help keep that from happening again. Click on the (short) video to learn more.

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Bucks for Beaches Event to Benefit NJ Shore Restoration

Tickets for the Feb.10 event are $25 and include a lunch buffet, glass of wine or beer and live entertainment. All proceeds go to rebuild the beaches of New Jersey.

New Jersey Hometown Heroes is organizing an event in Newtown to raise money for Hurricane Sandy relief. The event, “Bucks for Beaches,” will be held Feb. 10 from noon to 4 p.m. at La Salla. Tickets for the event are $25 and include a lunch buffet, glass of wine or beer and live entertainment. Performers include Turner Adams, Lisabeth Weber, Burning Bridget Cleary, Will Rhodin and members of the Council Rock High School North music program. All of the proceeds from the event will go to rebuild the beaches of New Jersey. Tickets can be purchased at LaStalla; cash or checks made payable to New Jersey Hometown Heroes (Sandy Relief in memo line). Click here for details on the New Jersey Hometown Heroes organization.

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Recycle Your Christmas Tree and Help Rebuild the Jersey Shore

Christmas trees can be dropped off at Shady Brook Farm for recycling to rebuild the Jersey Shore.

Don't toss that Christmas tree to the curb. Instead, consider recycling it to help rebuild the Jersey Shore from the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Island Beach State Park is instituting a pilot program to install discarded Christmas trees to help rebuild the dunes. The trees will be placed on their side, end to end, and secured in place in a manner similar to dune fencing.  Bucks County's Shady Brook Farm is a local drop-off point for the recycling effort. Simply bring your live Christmas tree to Shady Brook Farm, 931 Stony Hill Road in Yardley, during regular business hours. (Ask for Chris or Tom if you have any questions.) Shady Brook Farm is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; …

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Hurricane Sandy

After Hurricane Sandy: Hiring a Public Adjuster

The Bucks County Office of Consumer Protection advises homeowners who sustained damage after Hurricane Sandy to be wary when hiring a public adjuster.

Q.      My brother and sister-in-law own a home in the Lower Bucks County area.  Their home was one of the many homes that sustained severe damage in the recent Hurricane Sandy. They have been telling my husband and me about the numerous problems that they are facing since that time.  They also mentioned that they have hired a Public Adjuster.  Where would someone go to get information about public insurance adjusters?     MFB, Plumsteadville A.       Public insurance adjusters are independent individuals who, for a fee, legally represent a person who has experienced a property, fire or casualty loss by aiding them in recovering money from their own insurance company. They are not a representative or employee of your insurance company. For…

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Heidi Klum to Aid Hurricane Sandy Victims on Sunday, Dec. 2

The supermodel mom will help distribute supplies in partnership with the American Red Cross and Patch on Sunday, Dec. 2.

Supermodel Heidi Klum is lending her efforts to affected victims and families of Superstorm Sandy by distributing supplies, food, and water in the afternoon on Sunday, Dec. 2 at the American Red Cross Nassau Chapter in Mineola, NY, in partnership with the American Red Cross, AOL, and Patch. After, Klum will go to Lindenhurst, NY, for the tree lighting with Mayor Thomas Brennan. Klum's efforts are a reminder that these communities still need help rebuilding. Here's how you can help: Donate to the American Red Cross, Long Island Cares, or Island Harvest. And, you can help rebuild communities that were hit by Hurricane Sandy by simply sending a tweet: Patch’s effort to help support devastated communities after the storm, Patch Rebuilds, will …

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Young Musicians to Rock for Relief

School of Rock Doylestown, along with four other area schools, will perform a benefit concert Sunday to benefit victims of Hurricane Sandy.

Young musicians will be rocking for relief this Sunday to help victims of Hurricane Sandy.  School of Rock Doylestown, along with the Newtown, Princeton, Fort Washington and Easton schools, are planning a concert to benefit Hurricane Sandy victims. The concert will be held on Sunday at 4 p.m. at the North and Southampton Reform Church, 1380 Bristol Road, Churchville. The concert will feature the schools' “House Bands,” which will perform a variety of songs showcasing the history of rock 'n roll. Tickets are $10 each and may be purchased in advance at the participating schools. Tickets will also be available at the door if the show does not sell out in advance. All ticket proceeds will be donated to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. “A …

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District Food Drive Drop Off to be Held Wednesday

The Central Bucks School District has organized a food drive for people in New Jersey devastated by Hurricane Sandy.

Peanut butter, diapers and toothpaste are among the items needed for a drive sponsored by the Central Bucks School District. Winter weather on Tuesday forced the cancellation of one drop off period, so the only remaining chance to participate is Wednesday.  From 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., volunteers will accept donations of non-perishable food and toiletries at the school district’s transportation center on Rt. 313. The district organized the food drive for towns in New Jersey devastated by Hurricane Sandy. The physical devastation was just the beginning, said organizers. Many people still are unable to work because of the aftermath of the storm. That makes a steady stream of donations even more important. Central Bucks' effort was kickstarted …

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Doylestown Waives Sandy Permit Fees

Borough residents still need permits to repair some damage from Hurricane Sandy, but they won't have to pay for them.

Doylestown Borough residents looking to repair damage from Superstorm Sandy caught a bit of a break from borough officials. Borough council voted unanimously Monday night to waive the cost of permits for most Sandy-related repairs. So, while borough property owners still need a permit to do the work, they won't need to pay for the permit. Waiving the permit fees just seemed like the right thing to do, council members said. "Superstorm sandy has caused unprecedented damage to properties in the borough of Doylestown, leaving many residents with unanticipated repair and maintenance expenses in a time when many families and businesses are already facing financial strain," reads part of the ordinance authorizing the waiver. "I think this is an …

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Tips for Disaster Recovery for Small Business Owners

Hurricane Sandy has caused severe damage to many local businesses. if you're a small business owner, here's some helpful advice for how to recover.

1) File insurance claims as soon as possible, if you haven't already done so. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners offers important advice and tips for filing your claim. The National Flood Insurance Program also provides information on filing a flood insurance claim. 2) The SBA offers several low-interest, long-term disaster loans to small businesses in declared disaster areas, including business physical disaster loans and economic injury disaster loans. You can apply for loans up to $2 million for both uninsured and underinsured damages. You can apply directly online. Once submitted, the SBA will send an inspector to estimate the cost of damage. 3) Apply for tax relief if needed, which will allow for expedited returns or …

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Sandy Leaves Destruction at Pearl Buck House

Volunteers are needed to help tackle more than 40 trees felled on the grounds of Pearl Buck's historic home during Superstorm Sandy.

Mature trees toppled in the wind of Superstorm Sandy, leaving a trail of destruction at one of Bucks County's treasured historical sites. Hurricane Sandy felled about 40 trees on the grounds of the Pearl S. Buck House. They fell onto a path that visitors walk to visit the gravesite of the noted author. They even damaged Buck's grave stone, said Janet Mintzer, president and CEO of Pearl S. Buck International. "Hurricane Sandy was not nice up here," Mintzer told Doylestown Patch shortly after the storm. "It looks like a tornado hit our driveway and the Pearl Buck gravesite area." Now, the agency is looking for help in removing the downed trees and cleaning up the damage left in the wake of the storm.  Trees fell along the entrance driveway, …

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