Local volunteers needed in storm aftermath

As storms blew across the Midwest yesterday, they left a string of devastation in their path starting with some damage right here in Missouri. American Red Cross teams in southeast Missouri are currently assisting two families in the Scott County area who lost their homes, providing money for food, clothes and shelter.

"When disaster strikes, it is devastating to the families it affects," said Debi Meeds, regional CEO for the American Red Cross in southern Missouri.

"We have been providing help to the people here in Missouri since the storms hit early yesterday, and as we continue to help here locally, our volunteers across the region are gearing up to answer the call for help from our neighbors to the east.

"We know there will be much work to do.

"Our volunteer teams have been notified, and are on standby for deployment to help support the relief operation currently underway in Illinois. Currently, four shelters are open across the affected area in central Illinois, providing a safe haven for those who lost everything.

"We are beginning to see the requests for open positions this morning and will be contacting volunteers throughout the day to get them out as soon as possible.

"As our efforts continue here in Missouri and we progress in our outreach to Illinois, we ask that people who would like to help us respond, do so by making a monetary donation to the Red Cross disaster relief fund."

"Money is the most flexible way for us to provide for those who are in need at this time," said Greg James, chief development officer.

If someone would like to support the Red Cross mission and help those in need, they can visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-733-2767.