Money flows in to flood site

In the wake of flooding that paralyzed parts of West Virginia, the governor has set up a Web site where people have donated money electronically.

The site (www.wvgives.org), launched at the end of July, had almost 2,000 hits and brought in more than $1,000 in its first week, according to the Governor's Office of Technology.

Contributions go to the nonprofit West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, an umbrella group encompassing members that include the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services.

When making donations, people have the option of giving money immediately via a credit card or making a pledge online then sending money later. Most of the donations have been by credit card, said Liza Cor.deiro, media specialist with the Governor's Office of Technology.

Since the end of May, 22 West Virginia counties have been declared disaster areas because of flooding.