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Tornado Blog: How To Help
Information For Volunteers, Victims Of Thursday's Tornado
POSTED: 12:37 pm MDT May 24,
2008
UPDATED: 6:02 pm MDT May 24,
2008
DENVER -- Following the tornado that struck parts of Northern Colorado, there has been an outpouring of support and a desire to make donations to help with relief efforts. The following is a list of opportunities and services available to victims and those who want to help.For those looking to find out about the welfare of loved ones impacted by the northeastern Colorado tornadoes, the American Red Cross offers the "Safe and Well" Web site."Safe and Well" is a registration and search site where victims of disasters like the tornadoes can visit to register themselves as safe and well. Loved ones outside the area can search the site for information on their loved ones.
The Safe and Well service is available in English and Spanish.
The Salvation Army is accepting donations to help those affected by the recent Colorado tornadoes. Last year, The Salvation Army provided emergency disaster relief in Holly, CO for over 6 weeks and spent over $127,000.To make a monetary donation please send a check payable to The Salvation Army earmarked ‘Disaster Relief' to P.O. Box 17607, Denver, CO 80217, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or make a donation online www.imsalvationarmy.org.
Coordinate with your favorite disaster response agency to ensure the right type and amount of items are collected. You can also call 211 or (800) 559-5590 for a list of current needs. Focus on one or two items that the agency says it needs to help reduce time spent sorting items. Items contributed should be new, in unopened packages. A financial contribution, earmarked for a particular disaster response like Central Weld Tornado, is often the most efficient way to help relief efforts. Cash helps ensure the agency can obtain exactly what is needed to best assist the community, and provides an easily documented tax deduction for you. Check back with the agency after a few days, or even weeks, to see if further contributions are needed to continue relief efforts.Some items may hinder effective response to a disaster. Though the thought is appreciated, you may want to avoid these items:Collecting used clothing, which is difficult to sort and expensive to transport. Instead, consider having a yard-sale and contributing the proceeds for disaster relief. Clothing and other small items can also be donated to local organizations at any time to help with ongoing local needs. Disaster response agencies are not permitted to use bottled water that is not commercially sealed; home-canned food; canned goods that are dented, rusted or out of date; or used underwear. Do not collect items for disaster relief unless you are certain that those types of items are needed for relief efforts.More information about the Central Weld Tornado relief efforts can be obtained by calling 211 or (800) 559-5590, or on the Sheriff's Dept. Internet Web site.Source: Weld Co. Press Release
2:37 p.m. SaturdayA drop-off station has been set up at the Promenade Shops at Centerra just off Highway 34 east of Interstate 25 in Loveland. The drop-off station will be located in the plaza area, near the middle of the shopping center throughout the weekend. Hours of operation are: Saturday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Monday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. The center will be accepting non-perishable food, clothing and monetary donations. Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts from throughout the Longs Peak Council will be helping us to collect resources. To help spur participation, The Promenade Shops has promised to match the first $5,000 in cash or apparel collected.
2:32 p.m. SaturdayThe Salvation Army Fort Collins Corps is collecting food Saturday through Monday for the relief efforts for the tornadoes that destroyed homes and property in Weld County earlier this week. Food is being collected at the Larimer County Food Bank, 1301 Blue Spruce St., Fort Collins, CO 80525.The Salvation Army is requesting bottled water, Gatorade and energy drinks, individually wrapped snack food items like those used in vending machines such as chips, cookies, granola bars, candy bars, fruit cups and pudding cups. These items will be used at The Salvation Army canteens located at Windsor Middle School, 8th and Main in Windsor. Fresh fruit such as bananas, apples and oranges are also welcome.
1:18 p.m. SaturdayResidents in Windsor are being allowed to return to their homes Saturday, however officials warn people to be vigilant of hazards such as asbestos, glass, nails, falling limbs and debris, sharp metal objects, nails sticking through boards, fiberglass and power lines on the ground.Residents can enter into the areas through checkpoints at: First Street and Chestnut Street; First Street and Garden Drive; and First Street and Eastman Park Drive. Residents will need an ID and proof of residence in order to pass through the checkpoints.More than 25 certified building inspectors from across the state have worked through impacted areas to code access and damage into four categories. Placards are color-coded and include clear information indicating specific restrictions for each building.Green placards indicate that entry into a structure is not limited or has minimal restrictions. Bright yellow placards indicate that a building is habitable but will require repairs. Light yellow placards indicate that the building is habitable but will require extensive repairs. Some areas of the building may be unsafe. Bright orange placards indicate unsafe structures that structures must not be entered or occupied.
12:53 p.m. SaturdayIn collaboration with King Sooper's, Weld Food Bank staff and volunteers will be on-hand to distribute a semi-truck load of food to Windsor residents who were victims of last Thursday’s tornado. King Sooper's is providing an assortment of non-perishable goods for distribution to tornado victims. Weld Food Bank staff will distribute the food in the King Soopers' parking lot in Windsor from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Memorial Day. Victims will need a valid Windsor address.Emergency food boxes are available at Weld Food Bank, located at 1108 H Street in Greeley. Food and cash donations are being accepted for disaster relief as well. Food coming in CASES is preferred as they can be distributed faster.For additional information call 970-356-2199.
12:48 p.m. SaturdayPastor Dean Smith from Bethel Lutheran Church said services will be held at the church on 328 Walnut Street Sunday at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
12:45 p.m. SaturdayNuBilt Restoration and Construction is offering free lumber, board ups and other material to families in need. NuBilt has set up a materials distribution point at the Faith United Church of Christ's Parking Lot at 1020 Walnut Street in Windsor.NuBilt will be distributing plywood, 2" x 4" lumber, nails, tarps and hammers.
2:24 p.m. FridayThe American Red Cross closed the shelter at the Ranch Friday in favor of re-opening the shelter at the Windsor Community Center. Power has been restored at the Community Center, which provides a much more convenient location for our clients.The Windsor Community Center is located at 250 11th Street in Windsor, CO.Anyone who would like to volunteer to help with cleanup efforts, should NOT simply show up in Windsor. They need to get involved with an organization. The best place to start is by contacting the Larimer and/or Weld County United Way. The United Way’s 2-1-1 system is facilitating response. If you need information about shelters, road closures, donations and volunteering for clean-up please dial 2-1-1.
1:08 p.m. FridayThe Colorado Ag Disaster Fund is seeking donations to assist the farmers and ranchers hit by the recent tornados in Weld county. Donations will lend a hand to farmers and ranchers as they pickup the pieces in the aftermath of the tornados. Building materials, fencing supplies and other items are immediately needed.Please support those affected by sending a tax deductible donation to:Colorado Ag Disaster Fund: Weld County Tornado Fund
9177 East Mineral Circle
Centennial, CO 80122
12:13 p.m. FridayUnited Way of Weld County is receiving calls for help and for volunteer opportunities at 211 or 970-353-4300. Windsor is still in Emergency Operations mode. Officials are making the area safe for volunteers to enter. The Emergency Operations Center has advised that no one go to Windsor to help unless you have been contacted with specific information. It may be several days before volunteers are contacted.United Way of Weld County is not accepting any clothing or personal items at this time. The thought is appreciated, however, at this point the effort may hinder effective response to the disaster sites.Weld Food Bank is accepting non-perishable food in case lots. Consider tuna, peanut butter, ramen, food items with flip top containers, juice, crackers, etc. Please be thoughtful with your donation.Cash donations are always useful. Always the right size and color. Make donations to United Way of Weld County (UWWC Disaster Fund), American Red Cross or Catholic Charities Northern. Many other funds are being established as well.100 percent of the funds collected will be directed to recovery efforts of tornado victims.
12:05 p.m. FridayWeld Food Bank will be open Saturday between 9 a.m. and noon for the specific purposes of accepting food donations, cash donations and to fill emergency food boxes for distribution to disaster victims. Volunteers are needed on Saturday to fill food boxes and sort donated food.The Food Bank will be accepting food donations at the warehouse located at 1108 H Street in Greeley. They are asking for donations of CASES of canned goods (meats, stews, chili, soups, canned fruits and vegetables, snack foods, cereals and crackers).Volunteer response has been amazing. Please thank the community for us. WFB needs no more volunteers to build food boxes today (Friday), but is asking for volunteers again tomorrow morning from 9 a.m. to noon at the food bank, located at 1108 H Street, in Greeley.Volunteers may contact Sarah at 356-2199, Ext 307 for information.
11:43 a.m. FridayColorado Farm Bureau Alert: Many farms and ranches were damaged or destroyed in the storms, including the CSU ARDEC research facility outside of Ft. Collins, and the Hertzke and DeHaan Dairies in Windsor.Presently, authorities are asking that relief efforts be planned to start in the next few days and not immediately. They are currently conducting an initial assessment of the damage and will need disaster relief assistance in the coming days.Colorado Farm Bureau is standing ready to help in the cleanup and is creating the Volunteer Task Force. CFB asks that anyone who would like to help in the clean-up effort, contact one of the members below. In addition to monetary aid, the clean up will require able bodies, equipment, and meals for displaced residents, etc. Colorado Farm Bureau will be compiling a list of volunteers, what they can provide and when, and will match those volunteers with those who need assistance at the appropriate time.To get your name on the Volunteer Task Force list, please contact:Mark Arnusch
Weld County Farm Bureau President
(H) 303-732-0723
(C) 303-371-6126
mjarnusch@earthlink.net
Bob Winter
CFB State Board Member
(H) 970-686-2037
(C) 970-302-4453
winterfarm@aol.com
Amber Clay
CFB State Women's Committee Member
(C) 720-530-4303
aclay418@aol.com
10:00 p.m. ThursdayThe U-haul Company of Northern Colorado is offering 30 days of free storage to Colorado families affected by Thursday's tornadoes. Families needing more information about the 30-days-for-free self-storage assistance program should contact the following storage facility:U-Haul Storage Center Longmont
3885 Highland Dr.
Mead, CO 80542
970-535-6262
9:02 p.m. ThursdayCarbon Monoxide TipsDonated Food Items Guidance
8:51 p.m. ThursdayThe University of Northern Colorado is offering temporary housing. Call 970-351-2175.The Cheyenne VA Medical Center and its clinics in Greeley and Fort Collins are available to provide assistance for veterans with medical needs including mental health counseling. The Greeley clinic is located at 2001 70th Ave.The Government of Mexico expresses its sympathy to the families affected by the tornado that hit Weld County this morning. If you are a Mexican national and your family was affected by this natural disaster, contact immediately the Department for Legal Affairs of the Consulate General of Mexico to receive assistance. Dial 303-331-1110 ext. 122, 123 and 106 or the 24/7 emergency line 303-667-8657, where they will analyze case by case.El Gobierno de México extiende su solidaridad con las familias mexicanas afectadas por el tornado Que azotó al Condado de Weld Esta mañana. Si usted es mexicano y su familia fue afectada por este desastre natural, comuníquese al Departamento de Protección Del Consulado General de México para recibir asistencia. Llame a los teléfonos 303-331-1110 ext. 122, 123 y 106 o al número de emergencias 303-667-8657, en donde analizaremos caso por caso.
8:43 p.m. ThursdaySeveral roads are closed in Northern Colorado because of debris and downed power lines. CDOT Road Closures.
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The Salvation Army is accepting donations to help those affected by the recent Colorado tornadoes. Last year, The Salvation Army provided emergency disaster relief in Holly, CO for over 6 weeks and spent over $127,000.To make a monetary donation please send a check payable to The Salvation Army earmarked ‘Disaster Relief' to P.O. Box 17607, Denver, CO 80217, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or make a donation online www.imsalvationarmy.org.
Coordinate with your favorite disaster response agency to ensure the right type and amount of items are collected. You can also call 211 or (800) 559-5590 for a list of current needs. Focus on one or two items that the agency says it needs to help reduce time spent sorting items. Items contributed should be new, in unopened packages. A financial contribution, earmarked for a particular disaster response like Central Weld Tornado, is often the most efficient way to help relief efforts. Cash helps ensure the agency can obtain exactly what is needed to best assist the community, and provides an easily documented tax deduction for you. Check back with the agency after a few days, or even weeks, to see if further contributions are needed to continue relief efforts.Some items may hinder effective response to a disaster. Though the thought is appreciated, you may want to avoid these items:Collecting used clothing, which is difficult to sort and expensive to transport. Instead, consider having a yard-sale and contributing the proceeds for disaster relief. Clothing and other small items can also be donated to local organizations at any time to help with ongoing local needs. Disaster response agencies are not permitted to use bottled water that is not commercially sealed; home-canned food; canned goods that are dented, rusted or out of date; or used underwear. Do not collect items for disaster relief unless you are certain that those types of items are needed for relief efforts.More information about the Central Weld Tornado relief efforts can be obtained by calling 211 or (800) 559-5590, or on the Sheriff's Dept. Internet Web site.Source: Weld Co. Press Release
2:37 p.m. SaturdayA drop-off station has been set up at the Promenade Shops at Centerra just off Highway 34 east of Interstate 25 in Loveland. The drop-off station will be located in the plaza area, near the middle of the shopping center throughout the weekend. Hours of operation are: Saturday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Monday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. The center will be accepting non-perishable food, clothing and monetary donations. Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts from throughout the Longs Peak Council will be helping us to collect resources. To help spur participation, The Promenade Shops has promised to match the first $5,000 in cash or apparel collected.
2:32 p.m. SaturdayThe Salvation Army Fort Collins Corps is collecting food Saturday through Monday for the relief efforts for the tornadoes that destroyed homes and property in Weld County earlier this week. Food is being collected at the Larimer County Food Bank, 1301 Blue Spruce St., Fort Collins, CO 80525.The Salvation Army is requesting bottled water, Gatorade and energy drinks, individually wrapped snack food items like those used in vending machines such as chips, cookies, granola bars, candy bars, fruit cups and pudding cups. These items will be used at The Salvation Army canteens located at Windsor Middle School, 8th and Main in Windsor. Fresh fruit such as bananas, apples and oranges are also welcome.
1:18 p.m. SaturdayResidents in Windsor are being allowed to return to their homes Saturday, however officials warn people to be vigilant of hazards such as asbestos, glass, nails, falling limbs and debris, sharp metal objects, nails sticking through boards, fiberglass and power lines on the ground.Residents can enter into the areas through checkpoints at: First Street and Chestnut Street; First Street and Garden Drive; and First Street and Eastman Park Drive. Residents will need an ID and proof of residence in order to pass through the checkpoints.More than 25 certified building inspectors from across the state have worked through impacted areas to code access and damage into four categories. Placards are color-coded and include clear information indicating specific restrictions for each building.Green placards indicate that entry into a structure is not limited or has minimal restrictions. Bright yellow placards indicate that a building is habitable but will require repairs. Light yellow placards indicate that the building is habitable but will require extensive repairs. Some areas of the building may be unsafe. Bright orange placards indicate unsafe structures that structures must not be entered or occupied.
12:53 p.m. SaturdayIn collaboration with King Sooper's, Weld Food Bank staff and volunteers will be on-hand to distribute a semi-truck load of food to Windsor residents who were victims of last Thursday’s tornado. King Sooper's is providing an assortment of non-perishable goods for distribution to tornado victims. Weld Food Bank staff will distribute the food in the King Soopers' parking lot in Windsor from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Memorial Day. Victims will need a valid Windsor address.Emergency food boxes are available at Weld Food Bank, located at 1108 H Street in Greeley. Food and cash donations are being accepted for disaster relief as well. Food coming in CASES is preferred as they can be distributed faster.For additional information call 970-356-2199.
12:48 p.m. SaturdayPastor Dean Smith from Bethel Lutheran Church said services will be held at the church on 328 Walnut Street Sunday at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
12:45 p.m. SaturdayNuBilt Restoration and Construction is offering free lumber, board ups and other material to families in need. NuBilt has set up a materials distribution point at the Faith United Church of Christ's Parking Lot at 1020 Walnut Street in Windsor.NuBilt will be distributing plywood, 2" x 4" lumber, nails, tarps and hammers.
2:24 p.m. FridayThe American Red Cross closed the shelter at the Ranch Friday in favor of re-opening the shelter at the Windsor Community Center. Power has been restored at the Community Center, which provides a much more convenient location for our clients.The Windsor Community Center is located at 250 11th Street in Windsor, CO.Anyone who would like to volunteer to help with cleanup efforts, should NOT simply show up in Windsor. They need to get involved with an organization. The best place to start is by contacting the Larimer and/or Weld County United Way. The United Way’s 2-1-1 system is facilitating response. If you need information about shelters, road closures, donations and volunteering for clean-up please dial 2-1-1.
1:08 p.m. FridayThe Colorado Ag Disaster Fund is seeking donations to assist the farmers and ranchers hit by the recent tornados in Weld county. Donations will lend a hand to farmers and ranchers as they pickup the pieces in the aftermath of the tornados. Building materials, fencing supplies and other items are immediately needed.Please support those affected by sending a tax deductible donation to:Colorado Ag Disaster Fund: Weld County Tornado Fund
9177 East Mineral Circle
Centennial, CO 80122
12:13 p.m. FridayUnited Way of Weld County is receiving calls for help and for volunteer opportunities at 211 or 970-353-4300. Windsor is still in Emergency Operations mode. Officials are making the area safe for volunteers to enter. The Emergency Operations Center has advised that no one go to Windsor to help unless you have been contacted with specific information. It may be several days before volunteers are contacted.United Way of Weld County is not accepting any clothing or personal items at this time. The thought is appreciated, however, at this point the effort may hinder effective response to the disaster sites.Weld Food Bank is accepting non-perishable food in case lots. Consider tuna, peanut butter, ramen, food items with flip top containers, juice, crackers, etc. Please be thoughtful with your donation.Cash donations are always useful. Always the right size and color. Make donations to United Way of Weld County (UWWC Disaster Fund), American Red Cross or Catholic Charities Northern. Many other funds are being established as well.100 percent of the funds collected will be directed to recovery efforts of tornado victims.
12:05 p.m. FridayWeld Food Bank will be open Saturday between 9 a.m. and noon for the specific purposes of accepting food donations, cash donations and to fill emergency food boxes for distribution to disaster victims. Volunteers are needed on Saturday to fill food boxes and sort donated food.The Food Bank will be accepting food donations at the warehouse located at 1108 H Street in Greeley. They are asking for donations of CASES of canned goods (meats, stews, chili, soups, canned fruits and vegetables, snack foods, cereals and crackers).Volunteer response has been amazing. Please thank the community for us. WFB needs no more volunteers to build food boxes today (Friday), but is asking for volunteers again tomorrow morning from 9 a.m. to noon at the food bank, located at 1108 H Street, in Greeley.Volunteers may contact Sarah at 356-2199, Ext 307 for information.
11:43 a.m. FridayColorado Farm Bureau Alert: Many farms and ranches were damaged or destroyed in the storms, including the CSU ARDEC research facility outside of Ft. Collins, and the Hertzke and DeHaan Dairies in Windsor.Presently, authorities are asking that relief efforts be planned to start in the next few days and not immediately. They are currently conducting an initial assessment of the damage and will need disaster relief assistance in the coming days.Colorado Farm Bureau is standing ready to help in the cleanup and is creating the Volunteer Task Force. CFB asks that anyone who would like to help in the clean-up effort, contact one of the members below. In addition to monetary aid, the clean up will require able bodies, equipment, and meals for displaced residents, etc. Colorado Farm Bureau will be compiling a list of volunteers, what they can provide and when, and will match those volunteers with those who need assistance at the appropriate time.To get your name on the Volunteer Task Force list, please contact:Mark Arnusch
Weld County Farm Bureau President
(H) 303-732-0723
(C) 303-371-6126
mjarnusch@earthlink.net
Bob Winter
CFB State Board Member
(H) 970-686-2037
(C) 970-302-4453
winterfarm@aol.com
Amber Clay
CFB State Women's Committee Member
(C) 720-530-4303
aclay418@aol.com
10:00 p.m. ThursdayThe U-haul Company of Northern Colorado is offering 30 days of free storage to Colorado families affected by Thursday's tornadoes. Families needing more information about the 30-days-for-free self-storage assistance program should contact the following storage facility:U-Haul Storage Center Longmont
3885 Highland Dr.
Mead, CO 80542
970-535-6262
9:02 p.m. ThursdayCarbon Monoxide TipsDonated Food Items Guidance
8:51 p.m. ThursdayThe University of Northern Colorado is offering temporary housing. Call 970-351-2175.The Cheyenne VA Medical Center and its clinics in Greeley and Fort Collins are available to provide assistance for veterans with medical needs including mental health counseling. The Greeley clinic is located at 2001 70th Ave.The Government of Mexico expresses its sympathy to the families affected by the tornado that hit Weld County this morning. If you are a Mexican national and your family was affected by this natural disaster, contact immediately the Department for Legal Affairs of the Consulate General of Mexico to receive assistance. Dial 303-331-1110 ext. 122, 123 and 106 or the 24/7 emergency line 303-667-8657, where they will analyze case by case.El Gobierno de México extiende su solidaridad con las familias mexicanas afectadas por el tornado Que azotó al Condado de Weld Esta mañana. Si usted es mexicano y su familia fue afectada por este desastre natural, comuníquese al Departamento de Protección Del Consulado General de México para recibir asistencia. Llame a los teléfonos 303-331-1110 ext. 122, 123 y 106 o al número de emergencias 303-667-8657, en donde analizaremos caso por caso.
8:43 p.m. ThursdaySeveral roads are closed in Northern Colorado because of debris and downed power lines. CDOT Road Closures.
Previous Stories:
- May 23, 2008: Tornado Blog Day 2
- May 23, 2008: 7NEWS Blog: How To Help
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