Last December's floodwaters are long gone, but hundreds of families in Lewis County are still struggling to get their lives back to normal.

The Problem Solvers have been helping many families do that. But it's not just people in need. Many families are desperately trying to feed and care for the horses, sheep, cows and family pets that survived the devastating flood.

"This is River Road," says Patty Kaija with the Friends of Lewis County Animal Shelter as she drives us through some of the worst devastation of the December floods. "This place right up here on our right lost eight llamas."

Nearly every home we pass has a tale of heartbreak. Horses dead, sheep drowned, dairy cows - all gone.

Up the road a way, Pam Price tells us how fast the water rose as she was in their new horse arena. "And it just ka-woosh - just like a river right through here."

She and her husband Paul Price nearly drowned trying to lead their six foundation quarter horses to higher ground. Pam was struggling through waist deep water when the pavement beneath her feet began to float, upending her.

"So I just curled up, took a deep breath, went under, and wound up the current swept me into a barbed wire fence, and I thought well, this is probably it," she said.

But the couple, with the help of their neighbors, managed to get all six horses to higher ground. "Everything survived," says Paul Price, "you can't ask for any more than that."

But now, like too many others in Lewis County, the Prices are facing mud-covered pastures, destroyed fences, and no food for their animals. That's where the the Friends of Lewis County Animal Shelter (FOLCAS) and Patty Kaija step in.

"It seems like Patty comes through just at the right time," says Paul as he stacks a bale of hay brought in by volunteers.

FOLCAS brings hay and other feed to more than 150 families. For Ann Sweck with a passel of new lambs it's in the nick of time. She was out of hay.

"And not for the first time either," she said. When asked what she does when it gets this bad she replies with a chuckle, "well, I call Patty and she brings me more."

Up the road at the Black Sheep Creamery, the signs of new life with about 50 lambs are a blessing, because most of their sheep drowned. Like everywhere else, the hay donations keep them going.

"We've just been so amazed at how many people have helped," said owner Brad Gregory.

For nearly four months, FOLCAS and Kaija have helped small farmers care for the animals that survived. But hay is getting more expensive and donations are drying up.

"I lay awake at night and just wonder," says Kaija, "where is the money going to come from to feed these animals?"

The Problem Solvers together with Oprah's Big Give have an answer: a $5,000 check -- enough to help FOLCAS bring in another shipment of hay.

"Oh you don't know how much this means!" says Kaija. "Oh my God that is so generous."

And at the livestock yard in Chehalis, up rolls a double load semi full of what the KOMO 4 viewers, ABC and Oprah's Big Give bought: Thirty tons of hay.

"This is probably the most beautiful thing I've seen in four months," horse owner Jennifer Miller said through tears. Volunteers with the Backcountry Horsmen and the Future Farmers of America helped unload and re-load the hay into individual pickups and flatbed trailers for delivery.

It's enough hay to keep the small farms of Lewis County going for the next two weeks.

"An angel in the pasture, that's Patty," said Will Brannon, who volunteers with FOLCAS and also has gotten medical help from them for his animals.

"It'd be like somebody bringing food to your children and they haven't eaten for a week," adds Miller. Her family of six is still living in very cramped quarters in the second floor of their home that got flooded. She also lost her entire winter supply of hay, so feed for their five horses is an expense she can't afford.

And one last thought: your donations here don't just buy hay -- they buy hope. Miller put it best, "we might just make it," and as she gestures to the tall load of hay adds, "and it's because of all of this."

If you want to help FOLCAS or learn more about what they do you can contact them through their website: www.folcas.org. And if you want to help us help more flood victims, or if you know of someone in need you want to nominate for our help, see our Problem Solvers and Oprah's Big Give page.