Courtesy Photo Donations are being accepted during normal business hours this week at John Knapp State Farm Insurance. This trailer will be loaded with supplies to take down to Midland to aid in their flood recovery efforts.

ALPENA — Donations to help with flood recovery are being collected this week to be sent to Midland. Donations will be accepted at John Knapp State Farm Insurance on Ripley Boulevard in Alpena now through Friday.

“There has been so much in Northern Michigan this year to challenge us more than any other time in recent history,” Knapp said in a press release. “Issues both near and far keep pushing from every direction. Frustration builds thinking how we can help. Now is the time to act.”

He said a small group of concerned volunteers has decided to take Alpena’s generosity to Midland and Sanford. Heavy rains combined with weak dams destroyed people’s lives at a time they were working to stay healthy.

“Very few people buy flood insurance and most don’t think it could happen to them,” Knapp said. “However, if Alpena lost just one of their dams on the Thunder Bay River the town would be under water.”

For the rest of this week donations are being accepted at State Farm Insurance.

During daylight hours an enclosed trailer is parked in the parking lot and is available for drop off until 5 p.m. on Friday.

“Extensive damage was created and the need is great,” Knapp added.

Everything from good clothing, food, bottled water, small furniture, pet supplies, kids toys and games, cleaning supplies, and more are in great demand. If anyone wishes to make a monitory donation they can be dropped off at State Farm during regular business hours. Checks can be made out to Midland Community Foundation.

Questions can be directed to 989-464-7464.

“Let’s show how generous Alpena can be,” Knapp said.