Dollar Donations Sought For Tornado Recovery Efforts
Posted
Tim Robertson-trobertson@timesuniononline.com
NAPPANEE - It's checkbooks, not chainsaws that are needed now as response to the Oct. 18 tornado transitions from initial relief and clean-up to long-term rebuilding and recovery.
According to officials, an outpouring of volunteerism from the surrounding community helped clear debris and repair utilities quickly in the days following the storm. Now, as those affected by the tornado attempt to restart their lives, organizations leading the recovery efforts are calling for donations of money."The best way people can help is through monetary donations," said Larry Peppel, executive director of the Kosciusko County Red Cross.
Peppel said his organization has spent more than $5,000 in assistance to families whose homes were destroyed by the tornado. Peppel said the Red Cross also received donations of more than $10,000 worth of merchandise from Wal-Mart stores in Kosciusko, Elkhart and Marshall counties. Peppel said the retailer donated items like canned goods, diapers, water and other immediate needs.
Now, Peppel said, the Red Cross is offering help for those whose homes were damaged and were uninsured or underinsured. To provide that assistance, Peppel said, the Red Cross needs donations of money from the community. Donations to the Red Cross's efforts can be sent to the Kosciusko County Red Cross, 320 N. Buffalo St., Warsaw. To donate to the tornado recovery effort locally, designate donations to Kosciusko County. Peppel said, so far, the Kosciusko County Red Cross has received $700 in donations toward tornado recovery.
To give toward recovery in Elkhart County, contact the Elkhart County Red Cross at (574) 293-6519
For more information, call 1-800-HELP NOW or visit www.redcross.org
According to Dawn Hollar of the Nappanee Chamber of Commerce, the Nappanee Tornado Victims Fund set up to help those displaced by the tornado has been successful. Hollar said the fund has received enough donations of canned goods, clothes and other materials to meet all the requested needs, but donations of money are still needed.
The Nappanee Police Department is selling shirts to raise money for tornado recovery. The shirts are available at Nappanee City Hall, Chamber of Commerce office, Police Department, Public Library and various Nappanee businesses. T-shirts cost $10 and hooded sweatshirts cost $25. All proceeds will be donated to the Nappanee Tornado Disaster Fund.
Donations can also be made to the fund by writing a check to Nappanee Tornado Victims Fund care of City of Nappanee, P.O. Box 29, Nappanee, IN 46550. Donations to the fund can also be made at the Nappanee branch of Lake City Bank, 202 W. Market St.
