Give to United Way's Nepal flood relief fund in Palm Beach

The horror of the videos in northern Nepal is shockingly palpable. A massive wall of muddy water and debris slams down roadways, sweeps away people and vehicles, rips houses from their foundations and transforms rivers into turbulent, deadly menaces. That the destruction from the flash-flooding has resonated with many Palm Beachers 8,500 miles away isn't surprising. Experience has taught them to fear the power of water unleashed. And while the threats from hurricanes and storm surges are infinitely different from what happened Aug. 26 in Nepal, the destruction seemed all too familiar. The scenes recalled the horrific aftermath of hurricanes Dorian in the Bahamas and Ian on the west coast of Florida, along with other violent storms that have torn through Florida towns and cities over the years. Palm Beachers, who for years have largely been spared the wrath of a major hurricane, have learned to say: It could have been us. Perhaps that's one of the reasons that people are responding with donations to a newly announced fund administered by the Town of Palm Beach United Way to help those affected by the destruction in Nepal. The fund is similar to others the organization has overseen after natural disasters. Announced Sept. 1, the Nepal Recovery Fund was kickstarted by a $100,000 matching grant from the West Palm Beach-based Cathleen McFarlane Foundation, named for the late philanthropist who for years lived in Palm Beach. All donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $100,000. 'We have been incredibly encouraged by the response from our community in just the first few days of the Nepal Recovery Fund,' Richard Rothschild, board chair of the Town of Palm Beach United Way, said in a Sept. 3 statement to Palm Beach Daily News . 'We have already received substantial donations, but need additional help to meet the full match by the Cathleen McFarlane Foundation. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has given, and we hope others will join us so we can provide even greater support to families who are facing unimaginable circumstances.' The human toll of the disaster speaks for itself. As of Sept. 3, more than 4,750 people were missing along miles of Nepal's Bhotekoshi river system and part of neighboring China. Among the missing are more than 600 tourists, including Americans. Over 1,250 deaths had been reported across the region as of Sept. 3, according to reporting by ABC news. Those numbers are likely to increase as recovery efforts continue. Money collected through the Town of United Way's relief fund will go to vetted emergency relief organizations to help provide food, clean water, medical care, emergency supplies, shelter and other critically needed essential resources to the communities affected by the tragic event, according to the organization. Donations can be made online at PalmBeachUnitedWay.org or by writing a check made payable to Town of Palm Beach United Way with "Nepal Fund" in the memo. Checks may be mailed or hand-delivered to the United Way office at 44 Cocoanut Row, Suite M201, Palm Beach, FL 33480. Details about the fund are available by calling the United Way office at 561-655-1919. Give generously.