CHICAGO, IL (March 4, 2017) - The American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois is partnering with other local disaster assistance organizations to open a “one-stop resource center” for those affected by the tornados in Naplate and Ottawa, IL. In the meantime, the shelter at Ottawa High School will be closing at 5:00 P.M. at Sunday, March 5.
The Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) and will be open on Tuesday from 1:00-7 P.M. and on Wednesday from 8:00-5 P.M. located at a former Walmart building at 2901 Columbus Street, Ottawa, IL 61350.
Caseworkers will be available at the MARC to help people create personal recovery plans, navigate paperwork, and locate assistance for their specific disaster-caused needs, such as cleanup, assistance for food, lodging, medicine replacements and other items or services. Representatives from government, nonprofit and faith-based disaster relief organizations will also be on hand at the MARC to assist disaster survivors.
“The Red Cross is proud to join local partners to help those affected by the tornadoes and severe storms in Northern Illinois to navigate the road to recovery,” said Ken Cozzi, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of the Illinois River Valley. “We have seen how resilient these communities are. The Red Cross will be there until we’re no longer needed.”
Several organizations will be present at the MARC offering support to those impacted by the tornados.
For immediate disaster assistance, call 815-617-9733 to reach the Red Cross hotline set-up for those affected by the tornado.
Download the free Red Cross Emergency App: The Red Cross Emergency App provides people with instant access to emergency alerts and life-saving information. Available for smart phones and tablets, it includes content on what to do before, during and after a variety of severe weather events. Users can customize more than 35 emergency weather alerts based on their location and where loved ones live. The app is available in app stores by searching for American Red Cross or by going to redcross.org/apps.
Other features include:
For more information on what to do before, during and after severe weather, people can go to redcross.org/prepare/disaster/thunderstorm.
IN-KIND DONATIONS
We are thankful to those who would like to donate items for people affected by disasters. Our priority is to ensure solutions to immediate needs of those affected by the severe weather. We are working in collaboration with emergency management agencies and community-based organizations to provide emergency relief for immediate needs like shelter, food, disaster health and mental health services. Right now, the best way to help is through a financial donation.
DONATE TO THE RED CROSS
You can help people affected by disasters like tornados, storms, and countless other crises by making a gift to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small across the United States. Please visit www.redcross.org/donate or call 1-800-RED CROSS to make a gift now.
VOLUNTEER FOR THE RED CROSS
Volunteers carry out 90% of the humanitarian work of the Red Cross. Our vital work is only possible because of people like you. Whether helping one displaced family or thousands, providing care and comfort to an ill or injured service member or veteran, or teaching others how to respond in emergencies, it’s through the efforts of ordinary people that we can do extraordinary things. If you are inspired to action, visit http://www.redcross.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer to volunteer.
About the American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois:
The American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois serves 9.5 million people in 21 counties in Northern Illinois including Boone, Bureau, Carroll, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Jo Daviess, LaSalle, Lake, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Putnam, Stephenson, Whiteside, Will and Winnebago. The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit us at redcross.org/il/chicago or visit us on Twitter at @ChicagoRedCross.