NEWS

How you can help Indiana tornado victims

Indianapolis Colts plan visit to Kokomo, pledge financial support for victims

Maureen C. Gilmer
maureen.gilmer@indystar.com
A couple hug  amid damage after a tornado that touched down in Kokomo on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016.

Indiana disaster relief agencies are on the ground in Central Indiana today, assessing damage and offering food and shelter, following Wednesday's devastating series of tornadoes.

The Red Cross and Salvation Army have deployed dozens of volunteers to Kokomo and other hard-hit areas to feed and house victims and first responders, and distribute relief supplies and comfort kits with toiletries. The Indianapolis Colts have pledged 50/50 raffle proceeds from Saturday’s preseason game against Philadelphia to be donated to the American Red Cross and other service agencies.

The Red Cross set up an emergency shelter at the Kokomo Event and Conference Center, 1500 N. Reed Road, where more than 200 people were being housed and fed by 9 p.m. Wednesday, according to spokeswoman Duchess Adjei. Another shelter was opened at Walnut Elementary School in New Ross in Montgomery County, but road closures were making it difficult for people to access that shelter Wednesday evening, she said.

At the regional headquarters in Indianapolis, a team of employees and volunteers staffed an operations center, while another 10 volunteers waited for assignment in the Kokomo area.

8 tornadoes carved through Indiana, thousands in Kokomo without power

“We are committed to supporting residents in affected areas,” said Chad Priest, regional CEO for the Indiana Region for the American Red Cross. “We will continue to work together with our Red Cross volunteers and our partner agencies making sure people have their basic needs and know the Red Cross is always there.”

Individuals affected by the storms are encouraged to contact the Red Cross at (317) 684-1441. They also can visit: redcross.org or the Indiana Red Cross headquarters in Indianapolis at 1510 N. Meridian St. A Red Cross emergency app, free on Android and Apple devices, can help direct people to shelter locations and find other information.

Both organizations have asked that people who would like to help should consider financial donations and volunteering. Text HOOSIER to 41444 to give to the Salvation Army, or text REDCROSS to 90999 to support Red Cross relief efforts. Financial donations also can be made at redcross.org.

"Donating is the quickest way we can get cash into people's hands," Adjei said. The Red Cross distributes prepaid debit cards of varying amounts to victims to help get them through the first few days after a disaster.

"We are also in the midst of a big push for volunteers," Adjei said, noting the organization has been stretched thin by flooding disasters in South Bend and Louisiana, where local volunteers have been deployed.

Short-term volunteers are needed to answer phones, hand out supplies and collect information from storm victims. They can be trained in a matter of hours and be on the ground helping today, she said.

People also can donate through the United Way of Howard County at unitedwayhoco.org and indicate Kokomo Tornado Relief in the memo field.

Colts cheerleaders participated in a telethon Thursday night on CBS4 to raise funds for the Salvation Army’s relief efforts. Additionally, Colts players, cheerleaders, mascot Blue and staff visited  families at the Red Cross shelter in Kokomo on Thursday afternoon.

Also, punter Pat McAfee will host "Cracking up for Kokomo" on Sept. 2 in conjunction with Live Nation at the Murat Theatre. Doors open at 8 p.m., and the show starts at 9. Ticket sales begin Monday. All money raised will go to the United Way of Howard County, Kokomo tornado relief.

"Last night, I was laying in bed trying to figure out what I could do to bring some money, some funds (to the area)," McAfee said Thursday. "I know money isn't the best answer for everything, but there's a lot of damage up there where money can help out."

Pat McAfee announces fundraiser for Kokomo

The Colts also have links to donate to the Red Cross and United Way of Howard County on their website.

This is the second time in less than three years that Kokomo has taken a direct hit from a tornado. In November 2013, a line of strong storms took out homes in the same area hit Wednesday.

Call IndyStar reporter Maureen Gilmer at (317) 444-6879. Follow her on Twitter: @MaureenCGilmer.

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