Red Cross continues fund-raising efforts

Tornado Relief Operation Seeks Funds to Assist Citizens

ENTERPRISE, Ala., March 9, 2007 – Citizens, businesses, and organization seeking a way to immediately help individuals affected by the tragic March 1, 2007 tornadoes that swept through Coffee, Dale, Henry, Montgomery, and Wilcox counties in Alabama are encouraged to make a contribution to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.  “All Red Cross assistance is an outright gift of the American people,” said Ron Speakes, disaster operations manager for the Red Cross. “All donations are voluntary, and the Red Cross does not charge for any assistance it provides to clients.” In order to provide the much needed assistance, however, funds must be raised to help supplement the relief operations. 

“If someone is looking for a way they can help the residents affected by the tornadoes, a tax-eligible donation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund is always a good option,” Speakes said. “Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund are used to provide immediate assistance to clients needing food, shelter, clothing, and other immediate necessities.” In addition to individuals wishing to make a contribution to disaster relief efforts, businesses may also make donations to the fund either on a national level, or through the local relief efforts.  “Businesses and organizations seeking to make a corporate or civic contribution to the relief operations can contact their local Red Cross chapter, or contact a representative with the national relief operation at (571) 226-8226,” Speakes added. “Many individuals, businesses, and organizations have already come forward to make contributions; and we and the citizens in the affected areas, are very thankful. However, more assistance is needed, because the American Red Cross will continue relief efforts long after the initial shock of this tragedy has worn off.” Speakes added that relief operations are underway in all parts of
Alabama, and that assistance is provided in every county affected by the storms. “The Red Cross is working in every county touched by these tornadoes,” he said. “We will continue our efforts to help these people as long as the need is there.” Contributions to the American Red Cross disaster relief efforts in
Alabama can be made by contacting a local chapter of the American Red Cross, by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (733-2767), or by making an on-line donation via the secure web site http://www.redcross.org.

Enterprise Shelter Closes March 7, 2007

The American Red Cross shelter located at the First Baptist Church,  302 N. Main Street, will cease operations at 8 a.m.

Enterprise Shelter Remains Open Monday Night

We have had a number of inquiries about the American Red Cross shelter in Enterprise.

The facility will remain open again Monday night.

Enterprise (Coffee County) (Map)
First Baptist Church
302 North Main Street

Bulk Items for Tuesday

For Tuesday, March 6th, the American Red Cross will operate four bulk distribution sites open for citizens affected by last week’s tornado. This includes all three locations that were open Monday, and adding the First Methodist Church (address below)

Hours have changed - sites will be open from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Tuesday.

The following items are available:

• rakes
• gloves
• shovels
• trash bags
• coolers
• clean-up kits
• snacks

Items will be available at the following locations:

• West College Ave. and Meredith St. (map)
• YMCA on Highway 27 (map)
• Coffee County Chapter (map)
  
• NEW! - First Methodist Church (map)
  

Enterprise Service Center Open

ENTERPRISE, Ala., March 5, 2007 – The American Red Cross has opened a service center in Enterprise, Ala., to assist people affected by the March 1 tornado. (map)

Families and individuals can obtain immediate emergency assistance with housing and other needs. Red Cross workers at the service center will assess the needs on a case-by-case basis and assist the clients in developing recovery plans. Health services, including mental health, and advocacy assistance are also available.

“These services are the core of the Red Cross’s efforts to help victims of disaster take the first steps toward recovery,” said Ron Speakes, director of Red Cross disaster relief operations in Enterprise. “While we continue to fulfill the needs of the community through our emergency food and supply operations, the service center is our opportunity to work with individuals on their personal needs.”

The service center is located at the First United Methodist Church, 217 S. Main St., on the Edwards Street side of the church. The center will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Bulk Distribution in Enterprise

The American Red Cross has three bulk distribution sites open for citizens affected by the Thursday, March 1, 2007 tornado in Enterprise, Alabama.  Hours are 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.  The Red Cross will be handing out:

• rakes
• gloves
• shovels
• trash bags
• coolers
• clean-up kits
• water
• snacks

Items are available at the following locations:

• West College Ave. and Meredith St. (map)
• YMCA on Highway 27 (map)
• Coffee County Chapter (map)

Freezing Temps Expected

The shelter at First Baptist Church of Enterprise will be open tonight, Sunday, March 4, to accommodate tornado victims as temperatures drop near freezing.

American Red Cross shelter
First Baptist Church (Map)
302 North Main Street

News from Enterprise

Bullet points:

• Enterprise Mayor Kenneth Boswell states that city water is now safe to drink.
• More from Boswell’s news conference:
  • “There are not enough words within me to thank everyone…” Those were the words that Enterprise Mayor Kenneth Boswell opened a press conference with Sunday, March 04, 2007. Mayor Boswell, addressing media and citizens about the recovery efforts in Enterprise, said that the response from volunteers across the Wiregrass region of Alabama – and across the state – has been overwhelming, and that organizations from faith-based to the Red Cross have worked tirelessly to provide needed relief for the citizens of his battered community.
  • As of Sunday, March 04, 2007, there were no missing persons reported in the Enterprise, Alabama area.
• Bulk distribution sites:
  • West College Ave. and Meredith St. (map)
  • YMCA on Highway 27 (map)
  • Coffee County Chapter (map)

Latest Disaster Assessment

Latest statewide Disaster Assessment figures for Alabama, well over 90% complete:

• Alabama
  • 211 Destroyed
  • 223 Major damage
  • 281 Minor damage
• Coffee
  • 170 Destroyed
  • 202 Major damage
  • 214 Minor damage
• Dale
  • 0 Destroyed
  • 3 Major damage
  • 7 Minor damage
• Dallas
  • 0 Destroyed
  • 1 Major damage
  • 0 Minor damage
• Henry
  • 0 Destroyed
  • 3 Major damage
  • 7 Minor damage
• Jefferson
  • 2 Destroyed
  • 5 Major damage
  • 26 Minor damage
• Lowndes
  • 1 Destroyed
  • 0 Major damage
  • 6 Minor damage
• Montgomery
  • 0 Destroyed
  • 4 Major damage
  • 10 Minor damage
• Wilcox
  • 38 Destroyed
  • 5 Major damage
  • 11 Minor damage

Destroyed: A rating of destroyed indicates the dwelling is currently uninhabitable and cannot be made habitable without extensive repairs that would prove to be too costly; (e.g. total loss of structure, or complete failure to major structural components)

Major: A rating of major indicates that a dwelling is not currently habitable but can be made habitable with repairs; (e.g., substantial failure to structural elements such as floors, walls or foundation).

Minor: A rating of minor damage indicates the dwelling has sustained damage and will require repairs, but is currently habitable whether or not the occupants have chosen to remain in the dwelling following the disaster event.

Enterprise shelter stays open

The American Red Cross shelter in Enterprise, Alabama, will remain open again this evening:

First Baptist Church
302 North Main Street (Map)

Meals will be served there as well, for the many people working to salvage and secure their property who don’t have electricity or the time to prepare food.