In light of the destruction caused by the recent tornado in Oklahoma, several organizations are collecting donations to assist the victims of the disaster.  For those interested in helping, here is a list of those organizations and funds which will impact recovery efforts.

OKSTRONG DISASTER RELIEF FUND

Governor Mary Fallin, in coordination with the United Way of Central Oklahoma, has established the OKStrong Disaster Relief Fund to assist with the long-term medical, emotional and educational needs of victims of the May 20 tornado in Moore and the May 19 tornado near Shawnee.

Donations for the long-term needs can be made by calling (405) 236-8441 or donating online at www.unitedwayokc.org.

DONATION OF SERVICES AND MATERIALS

Donation of services or materials from businesses (not cash donations), those should be directed to Keli Cain with the Oklahoma Dept. of Emergency Management at

Keli Cain 
405-521-2481

RED CROSS

The Oklahoma Red Cross is asking people to donate by texting Red Cross to 90999 which will be a $10 donation, spokesman Ken Garcia said. Garcia said the donations allow the Red Cross purchase needed supplies.

Those who are looking for family members can visit www.safeandwell.org, Garcia said. Local Red Cross units will be dispatched throughout the damaged area.

SALVATION ARMY

The Salvation Army Arkansas-Oklahoma Division has dispatched disaster response teams.

Donations can be made to:

• The Salvation Army Disaster Relief, P.O. Box 12600, Oklahoma City, OK 73157. Designate Oklahoma Tornado Relief on all checks.
• Donate by phone: (800) 725-2769
• Donate online: donate.salvationarmyusa.org/uss/eds

REGIONAL FOOD BANK OF OKLAHOMA

The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, in partnership with Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, is asking that the public support all rescue, recovery and disaster relief efforts with donations of cash to your favorite rsponding charity.

Financial donations will allow disaster relief agencies to purchase whatever items are deemed necessary without resulting in the additional burden of securing warehouse space and volunteers to work donated product.

To make a tax deductible donation to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, go to www.regionalfoodbank.org or call 604-7111 or text FOOD to 32333 to give $10 to relief efforts.

UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA

United Way of Central Oklahoma has activated its disaster relief fund, so individuals may give specifically to the May tornadoes relief and recovery efforts. Fund dollars will be distributed without administrative fees to United Way Partner Agencies working on the tornado relief efforts.

To donate, go to www.unitedwayokc.org or by mail to United Way of Central Oklahoma, P.O. Box 837, Oklahoma City, OK 73101 with notation for May Tornado Relief.

For more information, please contact Karla Bradshaw at (405) 235-3534.

FEED THE CHILDREN

Feed The Children has established five locations in Oklahoma City to accept donations that will aid victims of the Moore tornado.

• Feed The Children McCormick Distribution Center,  29 N. McCormick
• First  Baptist Church, 1201 N. Robinson
• KOCO-TV, 1300 East Britton Road
• Faith Tabernacle Church,  I-40 and Portland,
• TLC Garden Center, 105 West Memorial Road

Items that will be accepted at these locations are diapers, canned goods, non-perishable food and snack items, water and sports drinks. Cash donations are also welcome.

Feed The Children is coordinating with other organizations and with authorities to deliver disaster supplies as requests for aid are received. Water and lasagna has already been delivered to the American Red Cross and Salvation Army to help with hydration and meal preparation for first responders.

Cash donations to help with relief efforts can also be made by phone at 800-627-4556, online at www.feedthechildren.org/disaster, or by texting “DISASTER” to 80888.

TULSA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Tulsa Community Foundation, the nation’s largest community foundation, has established the Moore & Shawnee Tornado Relief Fund. This fund has received a lead gift of $100,000 from George Kaiser Family Foundation.

Contributions to the Moore & Shawnee Tornado Relief Fund can be made securely online at www.TulsaCF.org. Donations can also be mailed to TCF offices at:

7030 S Yale, Suite 600
Tulsa, OK, 74136

]]> http://www.vppl.info/?feed=rss2&p=10214 0 http://www.vppl.info/?p=10190 http://www.vppl.info/?p=10190#comments Wed, 15 May 2013 16:18:07 +0000 sbirmingham http://www.vppl.info/?p=10190 (read the rest...)]]> DuPage County residents affected by recent flooding are eligible to apply for FEMA disaster assistance. Residents can apply online at www.disasterassistance.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The toll-free telephone number will operate from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. CDT, seven days a week.

Within the next few days, a disaster recovery center (DRC) will also be available for residents who wish to apply for assistance, in-person. Please note that the assistance offered via the DRC locations is identical to assistance available to residents who register via the phone number or website listed above. As such, it may be much easier for residents with telephone or Internet access to apply directly via phone or Internet, as opposed to waiting for a DRC location to open, traveling to the DRC, waiting in line at the facility, etc. Once the location of the DRC is selected by FEMA, it will be posted on www.ProtectDuPage.org.

In most cases, a FEMA inspector will contact applicants within a few days of registering to arrange a visit to their damaged home or apartment. A FEMA inspector will always have an official badge visible during the inspection. Residents should request to see identification before allowing the inspector to enter their homes.

Applicants who qualify for FEMA assistance will receive a federal government check or the funds will be directly deposited into their designated bank account. A separate letter also will be sent to eligible recipients, explaining how they may use the funds.

For additional information regarding Individual Assistance and Public Assistance, including the location of the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (once it is selected by FEMA), please monitor www.ProtectDuPage.org and/or www.Facebook.com/ProtectDuPage.

Youth Services Summer Reading Program:  Have Book — Will Travel. 

“Why is summer reading important?” you might ask. Youth Services offers this popular reading incentive program to provide enrichment for children during the summer months. Kids choose what they like to read, and with your encouragement, they will earn great prizes while strengthening their reading skills.

Children can lose several months of academic progress if they do not read during the summer. Don’t let your child fall into this “summer set-back.” Encourage your child to read during the summer months. Listening to recorded books counts too!  For information, call (630) 834-1176.

Adult Services Summer Reading Program:  Have Book — Will Travel…Through Space and Time.

Over the next two months, participants can plot their reading goals for a chance to win one of many fabulous prizes. Patrons may earn additional chances by reading a book from one of the theme areas: space travel fiction or time travel fiction. Additional chances may also be earned by attending a book discussion or another Adult Services program. The program, which encourages the love of reading, is free to all Villa Park Public Library cardholders. For more information, call the Readers Advisory Department at (630) 834-1164, ext. 2.

Some of the participating locations include:  the Brookfield Zoo, the Air Classic Inc. Museum of Aviation, Catigny Park, the Chicago Botanic Garden, the Illinois Railway Museum, Legoland Discovery Center and many more.  New locations have been added this year, so check out the list of participating museums at www.museumadventure.org, or ask a librarian for more information.

Accomplished gardener and master chef Kate Bradley will provide ideas and recipes for cooking fresh-fresh-fresh from your garden. (Or your friend’s garden!)  A $3 tasting fee is due at time of registration.

Bring a pen, paper and an open mind.  Tom Somora will discuss how to revive your old career, or begin a new one.  Been laid off, reorganized, or fired and don’t know how to get started?  Maybe it’s time for a new direction.  Join us for a Saturday morning workshop to help you get back in the market for a rewarding and fulfilling career.  Limited to the first six people to sign up.

National Historic Preservation Month is being celebrated by proclamation in Villa Park in May. On Friday, May 10, at 7:00 p.m. at the Villa Park Public Library Annex (317 S. Ardmore), the Villa Park Historical Preservation Commission, Historical Society, and the Villa Park Public Library are co-sponosoring a special free program on Sears Catalog Homes, given by Rebecca L. Hunter. She is a nationally recognized expert, author, and researcher of these houses.

Sears sold these “Modern Home” kits from 1908 to 1940. Everything you needed to build the house was assembled with instructions – including lumber, nails, flooring, roofing, bathroom fixtures, plumbing, etc. Shipped by railroad boxcar and then usually trucked to a home site, the average Sears Modern Home kit had 25 tons of materials, with over 30,000 parts. All you needed to do was excavate the foundation.

It is believed that Villa Park may have over 70 Sears houses. However, only 11 have been authenticated and have received an honorary “Sears Catalog Home” plaque from the Villa Park Historical Preservation Commission. Attend this program to learn more.

Reservations are required. To register, call Sean Birmingham at 630-834-1164, ext. 5.

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