From left, Caroline and Katherine Alderfer are collecting supplies for Louisiana flood victims. (Photo by Amanda McFarland)

WARSAW — Not everyone is aware that flooding has ravaged a portion of Louisiana, leaving tens of thousands of people without everyday necessities.

The Alderfer family, Warsaw, knows however and daughters Katherine and Caroline are doing something about it.

The girls have decorated two large boxes and set them up at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Warsaw, in hopes of collecting a truckload of school supplies, hygeine products and baby necessities to send to displaced Louisiana families.

While it may seem odd, mom Kristine Alderfer noted the family did not find out about the flooding through national media, which she said has been unusually silent about the incident. Rather, they found out through social media.

Katherine has juvenile dermatomyositis, abbreviated JM, and the Alderfers know and network with several families across the country, including in Louisiana, who have children with a similar diagnosis.

“There are quite a few JM families who live in the flooding area,” Kristine said. “We were seeing on social media what they were going through.

Katherine named the project, “Louisiana Love.” The family has until Thursday, Aug. 25, to collect as many products as they can to send to families in that area who are in need. Examples of items they are looking for include:

• Diapers (both regular and pull-up
• Band-Aids
• Razors
• Brushes
• Mouth wash
• Tylenol
• Ibuprofen
• Cleaning supplies
• Disinfectant wipes
• Baby bottles
• Pacifiers
• Toiletries
• Baby formula
• Reusable shopping bags
• Underwear that is new, in package
• Snacks
• Backpacks
• School supplies

The family is not collecting clothing, bottled water or food items other than snack foods, due to difficulties of transporting these items.

Kristine expressed disappointment over the limited attention the flood has received.

“One friend posted, ‘does anybody know what we’re going through right now?’” she said, tears in her eyes. “She was devastated when she realized people didn’t know about it.”

Those who would like to learn more about the project can contact Kristine at [email protected] or call her husband’s office at (574) 267-6766.