While Preval usually welcomes the opportunity to refresh and renovate, our focus today is on rebuilding. Sunday’s tornado’s hit very close to home and our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected.
If you haven’t followed these events The Weather Channel has informational coverage of the storms on Storify:
If you are local to Coal City, the Coal City Methodist Church is looking for volunteers to serve food and drinks to the workers helping with the clean-up from tornado. The church also requested donations of cleaning supplies including bleach, gloves, buckets, sponges, garbage bags, mops, towels and other supplies. Those interested in assisting the tornado victims can go to the Methodist Church, 6805 E. McArdle Road.
The Red Cross mobilized operations to set up six shelters across central Illinois, including Washington and Pekin:
- New Community Church, 14801 Lincoln Ave. in Dolton
- Coal City High School, 655 W. Division St. in Coal City
- Crossroads United Methodist Church, 1420 N. Main St. in Washington
- Evangelical United Methodist Church, 401 Main St. in Washington
- First United Methodist Church, 154 E. Washington St. in East Peoria
- Avanti's Dome, 3105 Griffin Ave. in Pekin
"Red Cross workers are working around the clock to bring relief to people," said Harley Jones, Chief Operating Officer, American Red Cross of Greater Chicago. "There are more supplies and help from our volunteers on the way to help with their immediate needs."
Source: NBC Chicago
For those further away, here are some great ways to help those in need:
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is collecting donations to provide relief supplies and resources to those in need.
Checks can be sent to:
Attn: November Tornadoes
The Salvation Army
10 W. Algonquin Road
Des Plaines, Il 60016-6000
You can also text your donations by sending STORM to 80888 and replying YES, confirming your donation of $10. Or clicking here to donate online.
The American Red Cross
The Red Cross is currently accepting monetary donations. Donations can be made here or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.
Chicago Bears
Team affiliations aside, the Chicago Bears and Bears Care are partnering with the American Red Cross, Greater Chicago Region, to assist our neighbors throughout the state who suffered devastating losses during the storms on Sunday, November 17.
Bears Care is conducting an online auction of game-worn and game-used equipment from the Bears overtime win against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday and accepting donations online. All auction proceeds and donations will be matched dollar for dollar up to $100,000 by the Chicago Bears and Bears Care and will be awarded to the American Red Cross for direct support of their programs serving individuals and families in Illinois impacted by the tornados.
A tax-deductible cash donation can be made here.
Items for auction online can be viewed here.
As a Coal City business, we will continue to keep the victims, brave service men and women, and volunteers in our thoughts and prayers as rebuilding begins.