Although formal solicitation ended Oct. 30, a trickle of new contributions to the Red Cross Local Flood Relief fund has brought the total amount raised to $302,676.79, according to the latest accounting.
The flood relief fund, a joint project of Times-Shamrock Communications, of which The News-Item is a part, and WNEP Channel 16, was set up after devastating floods from two hurricanes inundated the Susquehanna River valley and other parts of Pennsylvania in early September.
Donations were processed by the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne counties, which received $267,491.79 by mail, and Referlocal.com, a local business that received $35,185 via an Internet website. But the donations, which are tax-deductible, were used by the Red Cross for relief efforts in 18 counties in northeastern and central Pennsylvania, including Northumberland.