By KIRBY NEUMANN-REA
News Editor
December 7, 2007

High water on familiar territory has moved a Hood River merchant to action.

Christie Hessler of Acre Coffee is organizing relief efforts to victims of severe flooding in the Centralia-Chehalis area of Washington state, a region where she grew up and retains many friends and some family.

“One lady can’t even find her house. It just washed off the foundation,” said Hessler.

She has set up drop boxes for food, blankets, bedding, and other items at Acre, Mother’s Market on Highway 35, and U.S. Bank on the Heights.

Of particular need are Christmas toys, she said, since many families lost all their holiday items.

Donations of carpet are also welcome, Hessler said.

On Dec. 15, Acre, at 13th and State streets, will hold an eight-band concert to benefit the Washington flood victims, noon to 7 p.m.

She plans to stage a truck at Acre that will be filled with donations within the next two weeks and driven to Chehalis. Anyone with large donations may call Hessler at 490-5227.

Hessler said United Way in Chehalis is accepting cash donations to purchase gift cards for flood victims to buy new supplies. United Way can be reached at (360) 748-8100.