Jackson Area Chapter

>Tornadoes...Local Response

Serving Madison, Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Gibson, Hardeman, Haywood, Henderson, Henry and McNairy Counties

Jackson Area Communities Devastated by Tornados Feb 5, 2008

Local organizations have been busy lending a hand to the relief efforts as communities continue the recovery from Tuesday's storm. Since Wednesday, two American Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles have become mobile feeding units, going out in the hardest-hit areas and giving out food to those in need, said Ron Smith, disaster services coordinator for the Jackson Area American Red Cross.

Those areas were around Huntersville, Denmark and North Jackson. It's what we call a search and serve operation," Smith said. "We'll do whatever we need to do to meet the needs of the community." Friday afternoon, Red Cross volunteers Curtis Reichhold and Hank DeSandre drove around passing out hamburgers, baked beans, chips, water and cookies to people in Denmark and Huntersville. All the food has been prepared by local caterers and companies. DeSandre brought the vehicle they were using in from Biloxi, Miss., on Thursday night. "We can be here for up to 21 days," he said. "As long as we're needed, we'll stay in the area."

They've also been out urging people in the Huntersville and Denmark area to boil their water for the first 24 hours after their electricity has been turned back on. The residents rely on water from wells and therefore must heat the water up to get rid of any potential bacteria and mold, Reichhold said. Smith estimates that within the first two days, 200 to 300 meals were served to people in the Huntersville/Denmark area and an additional 150 in North Jackson neighborhoods. There have also been Red Cross emergency rescue vehicles going through neighborhoods passing out supplies such as water and kits with mops, brooms and other cleaning supplies, he said.

At Ararat Baptist Church, at 3608 Brownsville Highway, disaster victims have been able to stop by to get a hot meal, take showers and get supplies such as clothing and toiletries. The church, located just outside the Huntersville city limits, has been providing assistance since Wednesday morning to "anybody that's been affected," said Kyle Hopper, minister of students and activities at Ararat. He said the response has been key in getting as many people aided as possible. Area businesses, restaurants, churches and individuals have donated all of the items. "As the need grew, the giving grew with it," Hopper said. He said the church probably has fed more than 500 people for breakfast, lunch and dinner on Thursday. "We're also trying to take bottled water to workers during the day to keep them hydrated," he said. The church also has served as a meeting center for volunteer groups. People have been able to list what kind of help they need at Ararat, which makes it easier to get the groups out to help with the cleanup, Hopper said. "When people come, we want to be as effective as we can," he said.

To continue to provide this kind of assistance, the Jackson Area Chapter needs your continued support.

Highest Impact Disasters

Throughout the year the American Red Cross provides relief to victims of many natural disasters including devastating tornados, damaging hurricanes, relentless floods and raging fires. Every eight minutes, the American Red Cross responds to a disaster somewhere in the United States. Annually, the Red Cross provides relief for victims of more than 73,000 disasters-most of which are never heard about.

When disasters strike families, in some situations, they are forced from their homes with only the clothes they were wearing. This is when the relief effort from the Red Cross begins and the Jackson Area Chapter is there to respond.

The Jackson Area Chapter provides emergency assistance to families by providing emergency shelter, food, clothing, shoes, and life sustaining medicine.

In addition to emergency assistance, the Jackson Area Chapter provides Personal kits to victims. Blankets and Comfort Kits are made available through voluntary donations to the chapter. Within a personal kit a person would receive shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, hairbrush, comb, razor and soap. For children coloring books, toys, diapers and other things are provided.

To continue to provide such efforts the Jackson Area Chapter needs donations of items such as the ones mentioned. These items may be delivered to the Red Cross, Monday through Friday, 8 A.M.- 4:30 P.M. Financial contributions to the effort can also be sent to Jackson Area Chapter, American Red Cross, 1981 Hollywood Drive, Suite 100., Jackson, TN 38305.

All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling, and other assistance to those in need. Call 1-800-HELPNOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish).