Illinois organizations step up after tornado hits community

MOUNT VERNON, Ill.(KBSI) – As communities begin the long road to recovery after a deadly tornado local organizations are working around the clock to assist.

Bryan Jennings is the Mount Vernon Emergency Management Director. He encourages organizes looking to put together fundraisers or donation events to contact him so he can help coordinate. He shares lots of volunteers have stepped up to help.

“The last couple days we’ve been able to support the volunteers on the ground by feeding them as they’re doing debris removal through this that continues to evolve as what their needs are change versus tarps, shovels, gloves of that nature and that’s why we’ve worked with Natalie to use the facility here as a drop off grounds for donations” says Jennings.

Natalie Shook is the South-Central Illinois United Way Director; she shares their organization has been personally affected after one of their volunteers lost their life to the deadly tornado.

“Right now we are asking for monetary donations” says Shook. “All of those donations will go directly to the victims. We did have a couple of people pass away. One of those people that passed away was one of our volunteers here and she was without insurance. So, we’re trying to pull together to help her pay for her funeral services. Plus, there’s so many people that we worked with already that, now need more support because they’ve lost their roof, and, they don’t have that support that they need. So, we’re coming together to try to do that and raise funds in order to be able to provide those services. “

Anyone wishing to volunteer, donate or coordinate a fundraiser can call Bryan Jennings at 618-316-9303 and all drop off or monetary donations can be dropped off at the Mount Vernon United Way located at 716 Main Street in Mount Vernon Illinois.

Mount Vernon Emergency Management Director Bryan Jennings- 618-316-9303

To make an online donation to United Way: HOME | UNITED WAY

or call 618-242-8000.