Did you know that there are 33 different towns in America called Mount Vernon? For the most part, they are all named after the most famous Mount Vernon: George Washington’s farm in Virginia. Our Mount Vernon was originally called Pinhook, but the name was changed to Mount Vernon because the early settlers decided that naming it after Washington’s homestead sounded more dignified.

When we moved here 12 years ago, our friends back in Washington thought that we were moving back there because Washington State also has a town called Mount Vernon. It is located not too far from the town where we lived (Lake Stevens) when we moved from there to Tyler, Texas. We had to explain to them that many states have towns called Mount Vernon and we were moving to one located in Iowa.

Mount Vernon, Wash., was a fun place for us to visit when we lived there. It is located near the fields of tulips that bloom every spring that are just such a wonderful sight to see. Can you imagine being a tulip farmer? We loved getting to visit them and seeing the myriad of varieties that are grown so that the bulbs can be harvested and sold around the world. The view of tulip fields with the background of the Cascade Mountains behind was just glorious.

Right now, however, Mount Vernon (WA) is in the news because of the severe flooding it is experiencing. The Skagit River, which flows through the town, has flooded many areas of the town. It is expected to crest at 34+ feet and then again at 36+ feet. An emergency declaration is in effect and a flood wall being reinforced. 100,000 people have been ordered to evacuate. Skagit County officials are urging all in the flood plain, “Do not wait.”

My heart goes out to the people in this town with our shared name. I have been researching online what preparations are being made for them, the shelters that have been set up, and even the parking lots that have been arranged for people to take their cars and RVs to so that they won’t be flooded out. For an area that doesn’t experience flooding very often, this is a frightening experience for them.

In 2008 I was at my fitness club in Lake Stevens watching the news while I was on the treadmill. Usually I just listened to the news on the radio, but that day I was seeing live coverage on TV of the flooding in Cedar Rapids and Linn County. Tears flowed down my cheeks as I saw what was happening in Iowa. Friends came up to me to ask what was wrong and I pointed to the TV and told them that Iowa was my home. They looked at the screen in horror and couldn’t believe what they were seeing.

Now I think of the flooding going on in Lake Stevens and Mount Vernon, areas that are unaccustomed to these conditions. We are not close enough to drive there and fill sandbags (which we have lots of experience with doing!). But I have found 2 groups that we could reach out to and send funds to help out the people in this “sister” community and send help. Wouldn’t that be wonderful if Mount Vernon, Iowa reached out to Mount Vernon, Washington and sent assistance in their great time of need?

Skagit Valley Neighbors in Need (svneighborsinneed.com) and Community Action of Skagit Valley (www.communityactionskagit.org) are both doing incredible work right now to provide food, furniture, clothing, and more to help the people who have lost so much because of the flooding. On each of their websites they have a “Donate” button and they appreciate ANY amount anyone will give them. In the Comment section, they said to put “Greatest Needs” and the donation will go towards flood victims. They are both well-established and will put all donated money to good use to help the residents through this disaster. I have created flyers with QR codes for these organizations and have put them up around town.

We have benefited from outside help when we have faced disasters. I have always been amazed when strangers just show up to help; but that is the Iowa way. Now we have the chance to help strangers in a town that shares our name, 1,900 miles away. We have never met them and most people in our town, except for my family, have never been there. But I know that Iowans know how to help and “will give their shirt and their back to go with it.” Let’s show Mount Vernon, Wash., that Mount Vernon, Iowa cares.