Lend a Hand, Write a Check

You always hope that disaster doesn't strike close to home or affect those who you care about. When news of the flooding in downstate Illinois first broke, I called my friend Rep. Roger Eddy to see if there was anything that we could do up here to be of any assistance.

Roger called me after doing a fly-around to tell me that the damage is pretty extensive and that perhaps the most useful thing that could be done by private citizens is also one of the easiest.

From a press release issued by Rep. Eddy and Senator Dale Righter:

State Senator Dale Righter and State Representative Roger Eddy have established a fund to help local families devastated by flooding. The lawmakers Wednesday established the Wabash Valley Flood Relief Fund at the Farmers and Merchants Bank in Hutsonville to accept monetary donations to help meet the immediate needs of families evacuated this week from their flooded homes.

“When levees broke yesterday, many families were forced to evacuate immediately. There was no time to gather food and water, clothing, toothbrushes, or any other daily essentials they are going to need,” said Eddy. “Securing the state disaster declaration has gotten the wheels in motion for long-term recovery assistance, but donations to the flood relief fund will help these families with their day to day needs in the mean time”.

"After touring many of the hardest-hit communities it’s obvious that local families can’t wait for state or federal relief dollars to become available. They need help now,” said Righter. “The good news is that our offices have been inundated with calls from people from our area and across the state who want to help. All donations to the fund we established today will go directly to helping families in our six local counties declared state disaster areas.”

Righter and Eddy said the fund is accepting monetary donations. Those wishing to contribute can send checks to:

Wabash Valley Flood Relief Fund
P.O. Box 277
Hutsonville, IL 62443

Do the right thing. Write a check. Any amount would be appreciated.