Red Cross Seeks Funds To Help Flood Victims

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By Jennifer [email protected]

Kosciusko County Chapter of the American Red Cross is seeking funds to go toward its Disaster Relief Fund to assist Midwest flood and tornado victims.

The chapter in May collected funds from Kosciusko County residents to assist earthquake victims in China and cyclone victims in Myanmar. There was $600 raised for the American Red Cross International Response Fund by county residents and businesses.[[In-content Ad]]Floods recently devastated the Midwest in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Wisconsin.

Several heavy rainfalls occurred across Indiana during the first week of June, south of Indianapolis, causing rivers and streams to rise, flooding homes and communities. Severe weather systems resulted in tornadoes across Oklahoma, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska in May.

Larry Peppel, executive director of the Kosciusko County Chapter, said funds are now needed for the Disaster Relief Fund.

"The mission of the Red Cross is preparedness, but once a disaster happens, our mission is response and we rely on donations so we can respond appropriately," Peppel said.

The relief fund allows the Red Cross to provide immediate emergency assistance to victims of disasters, but has been depleted because the Red Cross has been responding to floods, tornadoes and wildfires in the past few months.

The funds provide food, shelter and pay for mental health counseling for disaster victims.

"The biggest single need is for financial assistance because money can be dispersed quickly to purchase supplies and stock shelters," Peppel said.

He said the Red Cross's first effort is to take care of people who are forced out of their homes so they have a place to stay, food to eat and clothing to wear.

He also said the Red Cross provides mental health counseling.

"People who go through these kinds of events suffer a great deal emotionally and mentally, and the impact from these disasters may require them to need counseling," Peppel said.

The Red Cross in the last six weeks has opened more than 100 shelters and served more than 100,000 meals to flood and tornado victims.

Red Cross workers have distributed thousands of clean-up supplies, including mops, brooms and work gloves.

People can donate funds by designating checks to: American Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund.

Funds can be mailed to American Red Cross of Kosciusko County, 320 N. Buffalo St., Warsaw, IN 46580.

People also can mail funds to American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or can donate online at www.redcross.com

Kosciusko County Chapter of the American Red Cross is seeking funds to go toward its Disaster Relief Fund to assist Midwest flood and tornado victims.

The chapter in May collected funds from Kosciusko County residents to assist earthquake victims in China and cyclone victims in Myanmar. There was $600 raised for the American Red Cross International Response Fund by county residents and businesses.[[In-content Ad]]Floods recently devastated the Midwest in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Wisconsin.

Several heavy rainfalls occurred across Indiana during the first week of June, south of Indianapolis, causing rivers and streams to rise, flooding homes and communities. Severe weather systems resulted in tornadoes across Oklahoma, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska in May.

Larry Peppel, executive director of the Kosciusko County Chapter, said funds are now needed for the Disaster Relief Fund.

"The mission of the Red Cross is preparedness, but once a disaster happens, our mission is response and we rely on donations so we can respond appropriately," Peppel said.

The relief fund allows the Red Cross to provide immediate emergency assistance to victims of disasters, but has been depleted because the Red Cross has been responding to floods, tornadoes and wildfires in the past few months.

The funds provide food, shelter and pay for mental health counseling for disaster victims.

"The biggest single need is for financial assistance because money can be dispersed quickly to purchase supplies and stock shelters," Peppel said.

He said the Red Cross's first effort is to take care of people who are forced out of their homes so they have a place to stay, food to eat and clothing to wear.

He also said the Red Cross provides mental health counseling.

"People who go through these kinds of events suffer a great deal emotionally and mentally, and the impact from these disasters may require them to need counseling," Peppel said.

The Red Cross in the last six weeks has opened more than 100 shelters and served more than 100,000 meals to flood and tornado victims.

Red Cross workers have distributed thousands of clean-up supplies, including mops, brooms and work gloves.

People can donate funds by designating checks to: American Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund.

Funds can be mailed to American Red Cross of Kosciusko County, 320 N. Buffalo St., Warsaw, IN 46580.

People also can mail funds to American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or can donate online at www.redcross.com
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092

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