Wauwatosa is experiencing the multi-faceted impacts of one of the worst natural disasters on record.
Let’s do what we’re capable of doing & lift each other up.
Tosa PT hosted a flood drive last Friday/Saturday/Sunday to help our Tosa neighbors impacted by the flooding.
So many were helped by generosity from near and far.
But with as many families that were helped (40+), there are more that need it.
This is a marathon, not a sprint.
We got the ball moving, but now let's organize to keep people afloat, not forgetting ongoing and future challenges as time passes.
“What do you mean?”
As a working clinic, I have a lot of patients and classes this week, so I'm not continuing to operate as a large scale open collection site during the week as we did this weekend. But I can do so on a small scale if needed.
I would really like to foster some personal connections. Ideally, I would like to help our neighborhood associations, churches, & other groups rally around the people they know and that are under their smaller umbrellas.
That way, efforts are sustainable over time, and community is fostered for the long haul, as this is a marathon, not a sprint.
“How do we provide ongoing support?”:
Please put your neighborhood, name, phone, email on the volunteers and donators lists if you'd like to continue to organize and mobilize.
Let's have a meeting of the minds:
I'll be sending an email/phone & social media request for an organizing meeting to develop sub committees to turn needs into needs met (i.e. meal trains, mental health check in’s, hands on/physical assist teams - think habitat for humanity as people rebuild, and more).
Fill in the google sheet link so we can organize where and how to help.
Be specific of what you need or how you can help.
Volunteers - show up when/where you can (we'll text you)
Donations - drop off & categorizing donations Fri & Sat
Distribution - of donated items end of day Fri/Sat. Families can also come and pick up what's available on Fri/Saturday afternoon.
WHAT'S NEEDED: no more clothing please
Cleaning Supplies: Gloves, mops, squeegee, bleach, Lysol, rags, antibacterials, etc.
Equipment: dehumidifiers, fans.
Storage: Tubs or bins with lids, storage shelves, etc.
Simple Meals: lasagna, grocery store pre-made meals, etc.
For school aged children: school supplies
Unused Grocery & Personal Care Items: diapers, soap, toothpaste, brushes, wipes. First aid kits. Shampoo/conditioner, soaps.
Gift cards: Lowes/ACE, grocery stores, Target, etc.
Short term rentals for people displaced.
No more clothing : if clothing is desired, Little Geese Shop in the village is hosting a free shopping event from donations.
Points of contact from each neighborhood are needed to get the word out to their neighbors, get people signed up, and help distribute.
Point people and/or neighbors from each neighborhood association are needed to stay connected and sub-organize under your more close knit umbrella groups.
Please indicate on the Google spreadsheet if you can be a point person for your neighborhood. (Neighborhood association leads please connect). 404.312.0783
Let me know if you can help our community.
Are you able to help our neighbors with removal of damaged items (carpet, furniture, etc.)?
Are you interested in offering a class or activity with gift card (or other) donations as payment?
Do you know a family in need?
Fill out the Google form so we can connect you to the right place.
Other Events for those Impacted.
Free Sound Bath spots: Parisa is offering free spaces at Thursday's (8/21) Sound Bath at Tosa PT for people impacted by the floods. Sign up is required.
Trauma processing therapy: “In support of our community members who have been impacted by the recent flooding empowerment within is offering to connect you with a therapist for two free trauma reprocessing sessions to help your body find its way back to safety. If you notice yourself in a high anxiety state as if the floods are still ongoing, these sessions can support you in coming back to the present. If it's clear you are needing or wanting more than the two sessions we will discuss best options for you moving forward".
Single Parents that are overwhelmed - Please connect with Cassandra Wind. Trauma informed, adult and pediatric, women in-tuned, acupuncture, craniosacral therapy, nutrition, and trauma neurocoaching. She’s offered to come to people’s homes and help reset. She was a single mom who experienced flooding when she lived near park ridge.
call 211 - Make sure you call 211 to report ANY damage to your home or business. This helps determine funding for the area.
Milwaukee Red Cross Cleaning Kits - The red cross will deliver cleaning kits to your home. call (414)-342-8680
How to clean your basement - https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/milwaukee/2025/08/11/how-to-clean-a-flooded-basement-after-milwaukee-rainfall/85607604007/
More ways to get involved in Milwaukee: https://www.wuwm.com/environment/2025-08-12/feeling-helpless-after-milwaukee-area-floods-heres-how-to-help-victims