Red Cross chapter is working on disaster relief and is raising money to provide assistance to those whose homes were damaged by Saturday’s storm. About $10,000 has been raised so far, but the Red Cross says $100,000 is needed. Funds, in the form of debit cards, will be sent to families who had total or partial home losses, based on assessments done by the Red Cross. Donations can be delivered to the Red Cross at its offices at 507 N. Steele Street, or via the Lee County United Way’s website (www.leecountyunitedway.org). At the site, click on “donate” and type in Sanford’s ZIP code (27330). Donations to the United Way will during this time will go directly to the Red Cross. To reach the Red Cross, call (919) 774-6857.
TO VOLUNTEER: Emergency services personnel and the Red Cross are asking volunteers not to enter areas impacted by Saturday’s tornadoes. Onlookers are interfering with the work of relief workers and utility crews working to help those families hurt by the storm. A number of organizations and churches are putting together volunteer efforts, but the United Way of Lee County is coordinating all Lee County volunteers. Contact Michele Bullard at (919) 777-7744 if you’d like to volunteer, or if you need assistance in the form of labor. You can also call “211” for more information.
IF YOU NEED HELP: The United Way is coordinating labor to help with debris removal, packing, etc. Call Michele Bullard at (919) 777-7744, or contact the United Way’s assistance line by dialing “211.”
FOR THE LATEST UPDATES: Dial “211.”
POWER OUTAGES: Utility crews are still working to restore power for fewer than 1,000 homes, and officials are asking those who want to volunteer to do so outside the areas hardest hit by the storm. Most power is expected to be restored by Tuesday.
IF YOUR HOME WAS DAMAGED: Contact your insurance company immediately. If you don’t have homeowners insurance, Lee County is working with state and federal agencies to help get aid. If your home has been inspected and labeled as “posted,” it cannot be occupied.
BUILDING PERMITS: The city/county Community Development Department has instituted an expedited building permit process. The department is located at the corner of Woodland and Makepeace avenues.
DEBRIS: The landfill located at 1819 Pickard Road in Lee County will accept all natural debris — trees, limbs, stumps — 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the tornado clean-up effort, according to land owner Johnny Knight. Pickard Road is located between Carbonton and Steel Bridge roads in western Lee County. Because the county has not yet been declared a federal disaster area, homeowners who hire private contractors to remove debris from property are responsible to properly dispose of that debris.
CURFEW: Lee County is under a State of Emergency and a curfew is in effect in the areas impacted by the storm from 8 p.m.to 7 a.m.
ONLINE UPDATES: The United Way of Lee County warns that not all information posted on volunteer websites and Facebook pages is correct. Please call to get clear instructions if you want to help. A number of organizations have created Facebook pages to disseminate information, including these: Social Sanford, Matt 6
OTHER NEEDS: Donations of blankets, pillows (especially for children), sheets, food, wrapped snacks, diapers, wipes, toiletries, trash bags, work gloves, cleaning supplies, non-perishable food, bottled drinks and more are needed, although officials says most of the food needs have been met. Take non-food items (clothing, household items in good condition) to the Salvation Army Thrift store on South Steele Street. Food items (non-perishable) and certain household items can be taken to either the Christian United Outreach Center (CUOC) at 2885 Lee Avenue(919) 774-8485. Food items are also being accepted at the Salvation Army’s offices at 507 N. Steele Street(919) 718-1717. Bottled water and large tarps for covering exposed areas of homes are in continual need and may be dropped off at St. Luke United Methodist Church on Wicker Street.
THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS: The clubs will be open this week for school-ages children in Lee County whose families were impacted by the storm from 7 am .until 6 p.m.(and from 6:30 a.m. once the curfew is lifted). Breakfast and lunch will be provided. There is no cost. For more information, call (919) 776-3525. Club members will direct children to participate in a number of activities while parents are working to recover from the storm.
FURNITURE: Furniture will be collected at the Jaycee Hut at 809 Tryon Street in Sanford. Call (919) 356-5636 before making a delivery. In addition, Habitat for Humanity (964 N. Horner Blvd.; (919) 774-7779) is accepting donations of furniture and household supplies. Lee Builder Mart, on N. Horner Boulevard, is also accepting donations for those wishing to help the affected purchase building supplies.
SHELTER: The county’s shelter at San-Lee Middle School, off Tramway Road, closed on Monday because of lack of need.
PETS: All Animals Veterinary Hospital is collecting pet supplies (cat litter, litter boxes and pet food). Donations can be dropped off during regular business hours. For more information, call (919) 775-4944. If you’d like to foster an abandoned or found pet, contact CARA of Sanford at (919) 774-9433.
POWER LINES: Do not attempt to move or maneuver around them. If you see a downed line, call 800 419-6356.
COMPUTERS: Absolute Computers, located on Woodland Avenue, will provide free data recovery and diagnostic assessment for computers for anyone in the St. Andrews or Poplar Springs area impacted by the tornado, according to owner Roger Darr. Those residents must provide ID to prove address. Contact Absolute Computers at (919) 777-9125.
CHURCHES: A number of local churches, including Jonesboro Heights Baptist Church and St. Luke United Methodist Church, are helping to coordinate volunteer efforts. Please contact your own church for more information or call (919) 776-2012.
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT GROUP: The Family Doc Counseling Center, at 1415 Greenway Court, will have a free workshop/support group from 4:30-6 p.m. on Wednesday for those needing counseling or desiring to talk about their experience. Contact Katie Thomas at (919) 985-6303.
No comments:
Post a Comment