Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Tuesday, March 6, 2012
(JEFFERSONVILLE) - Donations are pouring in from heavy-hearted Hoosiers looking to provide some comfort to those in tornado-stricken communities.
Volunteers on Monday were collecting and sorting bags and boxes of donations at a facility at 700 Patrol Road in Jeffersonville, about 25 miles south of Henryville.
They asked that donations be grouped together in marked boxes or wrapped in clear plastic so the items can go onto pallets and be distributed right away.
While organizers have enough used clothes and are weeks away from needing furniture and bedding, they asked generous Hoosiers to look for personal care items, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap and shampoo, along with diapers and nonperishable foods.
Doug Melton collected items at his work and church in Georgetown, and brought a van full of goods to the drop-off location.
"When I was 3 years old, the home I was in was wiped out by a tornado. My sister and I, our baby sitter and her two kids (were inside)," he said. "I don't remember a whole lot about it, but I know how my parents were affected."
Leslie Nudo fought back tears while explaining her need to help strangers down the road.
"It's not that far away. I have two little kids," she said.
Truck driver James Miles simply handed over cash, asking that it be donated to one of the organizations helping families on the ground.
"I just pray for them and go on is all I know how to do," he said. "I just help what I can help and ask the Lord to help them."
How to make donations:
Red Cross
Donations through the Red Cross can be made by:
Going to www.redcross.org or calling (800) 732-2767
To make a $10 donation, text the words Red Cross to 90999
Or bring or mail a check or money order to the local office at 2119 29th St., Bedford IN 47421. Put in the memo for tornado victims and specify the county it should go to.
Salvation Army
Go online to www.salvationarmyindiana.org
To make a $10 donation text the word Hoosier to 80888
Or mail a check or money order to Salvation Army, PO Box 984, Bedford IN 47421. Put in the memo line for tornado victims and specify the county it should go to.
Other efforts
Area groups, churches and agencies are mobilizing to help tornado victims, and WBIW 1340 will post and publish them as they are received. The list so far:
Luncheon donations
All proceeds from the luncheon at the Methodist Church in Mitchell on Thursday will go toward tornado relief. The luncheon will from 11 until 1 p.m.
Community Foundation
The Washington County Community Foundation has established a Disaster Relief Fund for the victims of Friday's tornadoes. Anyone wishing to contribute may do so in the following way:
1. Visit www.wccf.biz and click on the donate now button in the upper left corner.
2. Mail or deliver a check to the Foundation office at P.O. Box 50, 1707 North Shelby Street, Salem, IN 47167. Be sure to put Disaster Relief Fund in the memo line.
3. Call 883-7334 with any questions.
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