Area Agencies Coordinate Disaster Efforts on Local Level

September 9, 2005 - On Friday, September 9, the Office of Emergency Management, American Red Cross of Ottawa County and Greater Ottawa County United Way coordinated and held a meeting with other non profits, churches, and some private citizens to discuss the local Hurricane Katrina Relief efforts.

“Once again the Ottawa County community has responded with an outpouring of compassion, love, and caring,” says Sylvia Geisler, President of Greater Ottawa County United Way. During the discussion, many shared information about efforts of providing available housing, food, clothing, and personal hygiene products.

Sindee Maxwell, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Ottawa County, informed the group that the Red Cross is to act as the intake agency, meaning they are the first contact that evacuees need to make in order to be registered with FEMA and other governmental assistance. They are also the source for locating family members and friends. American Red Cross of Ottawa County has sent eleven trained volunteers to the hurricane stricken area to assist. Red Cross is stressing that individuals looking to volunteer in the hurricane stricken areas need to be properly and formally trained before leaving on such a journey. Red Cross of Ottawa County will continue to train and prepare volunteers for their tasks.

“We continue to schedule volunteer trainings and accept a number of volunteers every day to head to devastated areas and communities who are taking in large numbers of evacuees,” says Sindee Maxwell, Executive Director of American Red Cross of Ottawa County. “The needs of those effected change on a daily basis and thus the training of volunteers must also change according to those needs. The best way to make a contribution to the relief efforts is by making a cash or online contribution to Hurricane Relief Funds. That way, experts can strategically distribute resources and goods allowing the correct items and social services to get to the right places.”

Two main organizations that people may contribute through, United Way and Salvation Army, are assuring that 100% of their gift will go directly to the short and long-term needs of the evacuees. Many other organizations are taking financial donations for relief efforts. Officials want to remind generous donors to designate their funds make sure that all monies are earmarked for Hurricane Katrina Relief in order to ensure that the donation is appropriately directed. Those who want to donate money to American Red Cross can call 1-800-HELPNOW and are asked that donations be earmarked “Disaster Relief Fund.”

As many have seen in the recent media, appreciative agencies in the Gulf Coast area have been inundated with in-kind donations—many of them have run out of space to put them. Relief officials have stated that the preferred way of donating is by making cash contributions. That way, knowledgeable relief officials are able to control and direct specific goods to where they are needed most. Officials have also stated that clothing, used in particular, is not needed.

If individuals and groups still want to donate goods, officials ask that they contact Youth for Christ in Holland at 396-3939 or drop off items at 11276 East Lakewood Blvd Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm and Saturday 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Youth for Christ suggested items:

• non-perishable food (nothing that requires water for preparation)
• water
• diapers
• baby wipes
• hygiene products
• surgical gloves and masks
• NO CLOTHING

International Aid at 17011 W. Hickory in Spring Lake is another drop off point. International Aid says the following items are urgently needed:

• money donations for shipments
• bar soap (full size)
• toothpaste (full size)
• toothbrushes
• shampoo (full size)
• wash cloths and hand towels
• small note pad/spiral notebook
• pens
• blankets
• generators (5 KW/portable/gas or diesel)
• non-perishables
• disposable diapers
• laundry soap
• NO CLOTHING

Contact either of those organizations to inquire about specific needs and to coordinate drives with those drop-off sites. There are also other coordinated drop-off sites in various communities to residents may know about. For more information on non-cash donations, please call the Hurricane Katrina Non-Cash Donation Relief Hotline at 888-535-6136.

Local officials would also like to direct phone calls and inquiries regarding ways to volunteer for relief efforts or donate items to 2-1-1 of Ottawa County by simply dialing the number 211 on land line phones. Wireless callers should call (888) 353-6717. Local evacuees in need of assistance are asked to call the local American Red Cross at 616-396-6545.

Although a number of caring residents have offered rooms in their homes to evacuees, agency officials have a goal to get all evacuee families in their own independent housing. If you have vacant housing (apartments/home) available for evacuees to utilize please call Ottawa County 2-1-1. Ottawa County 2-1-1 is compiling the information and working closely with the Department of Human Services to provide this information to officials in a timely manner. Good Samaritan Ministries is also conducting training for churches who are interested in adopting an evacuee family and providing a mentor relationship. Officials there ask that if you are a church who is interested, to contact Good Samaritan Ministries at 392-7159 for training and further information.

After Fridays meeting, local agencies have established a task force of local health and human service agencies and will continue to monitor the needs and resources in Ottawa County surrounding Hurricane Katrina Relief efforts.

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