Want To Help Tornado Victims? Stay Home And Donate
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Authorities in the tornado zones in Rochelle and Fairdale have asked people wanting to help the victims not to get in their cars to make the trip, but do what they can from home instead.
"Do not come out here to help us. We have a plan here set in place that we need to stick to," Kirkland Community Fire Chief Chad Connell said.
Between the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and teams from local governments, there might be more people attempting to provide assistance to the residents of Rochelle and Fairdale than there are victims.
A group called Operation Blessing has sent a convoy from the East Coast, and multiple animal rescue organizations have offered to take in lost pets, and individuals who mean well and showed up to lend a hand.
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That kind of flood of assistance is common whenever a natural disaster strikes, but as with other such disasters, authorities have asked people not to make the trip.
"Hopefully this gets out to the people that helped. Although they mean well, we would like for them to remain off-site," Connell said.
Relief organizations like the Red Cross and Salvation Army said the best way to help is to donate money, or take clothes or other goods to thrift shops, which often provide the emergency supplies the charities give out in such times of need.
To donate to the Salvation Army, visit www.salarmychicago.org/donate, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY, or text the word SACHICAGO to 80888 to make a $10 donation.
To give to the Red Cross, visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
