BERWICK, Pa. — The annual Riverfest weekend returns in Columbia County. Several vendor stands are collecting money for disaster relief.
"It's for disaster relief for the people down south. Riverfest was good enough to let me coordinate with the Salvation Army for them," said Marcy Sheeler, Marcy's Orangeade owner.
All money collected at Riverfest will be donated to the Berwick Salvation Army's Disaster relief efforts. About a dozen kettles are scattered among the vendors, like at Denny and Pearl's Pizza.
"The images are hard to watch, but we have to see that so we can send compassion and any supplies and monetary donations we can for them," said Rochelle Woodeshick, Denny and Pearl's Pizza manager.
"I thought what a great idea, what a perfect opportunity to be able to show our support even in another state, another community," said Holly Burda, Franco's Pizza owner.
With thousands of people expected to turn out for the three-day festival, organizers hope people will be able to donate what they can to help communities devastated by Hurricane Helene.
"If it were us up north, the show would be on the other foot, so you have to think about what they are going through. They've lost everything," said Sheeler.
"Just absolute devastation, and to try to rebuild, I can't imagine what's going through their minds, and my heart goes out to every single one of them," added Burda.