Those behind the effort are looking to Montrose and surrounding communities to give what they can, and help fill a shipping container now less than a quarter full.
The last day to bring donated items to 400 S. Townsend Avenue is Friday, June 27. (See the information box for details and contacts).
 Jan France, left, director of Western Colorado Disaster Relief and Audra Warner, right, a volunteer, collect food and supplies to help out the flood victims in Iowa Saturday. (Jonathan Maness/ Daily Press) Advertisement |
When Hurricane Katrina hit and the levees broke, what was then known as the Southwest Colorado Hurricane Relief (now the Western Colorado Disaster Relief) received an outpouring of support from area citizens. The group filled three containers in one week, France recalled. Since the floods hit the Midwest, support hasn't come as quickly, she said.
Dozens of deaths have been blamed on flooding and storms that have struck the Midwest since late May, according to published reports. By Saturday, a total of 69 Iowa counties were given presidential disaster declarations, the Associated Press reported.
France has been working with volunteers such as Audra Warner, who has donated her time to organizing donations and stacking them inside the shipping container.
"Simple truth: either you care or you don't. If you care, you'll do something, you're gonna help," Warner said. "Most people do care about others (but) I'm not really seeing a lot of that."
Everything is needed, the women said. Especially helpful would be baby supplies, such as strollers, cribs, bottles and food. Tools, electric or not, are also needed. "We take so much for granted and these people have nothing," Warner said.
Disaster victims are walking around in sewage water, which will eventually dry up, leaving sewage dust, said France. Protective gear, like masks and latex gloves or any kind of working gloves, are needed to help shield people from these conditions, she said.
With some phone calls and creative problem solving, shortly after the disasters hit, France reached people in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Her first call was to the city's Days Inn. She reached hotel sales people, who helped her set up a network of disaster response.
Montrose businesses responded to the need; several donated monetarily. Airport Storage donated a shipping container, Northside Storage donated a storage facility and Valley Crane and Equipment donated the truck, trailer, fuel and driver for the trip to Iowa, France said.
Established three years ago, the non-profit Western Colorado Disaster Relief has also helped tornado victims in New Mexico, Colorado and Kansas. Aided by all proceeds from ENCORE Furniture, the organization operates year-round to help local fire and flood victims too.
"All they have to do is bring us documentation from the fire chief that they lost their home and all (of) their possessions," said France. "They can come here and whatever has been donated it's theirs at absolutely no cost. We do sell to the general public but we never sell to those in need what has been donated for those in need."
Western Colorado Disaster Relief — helping flood victims in the Midwest
All items need to be delivered to 400 S. Townsend on or before June 27.
Only non-perishable food, and supplies, will be collected; no clothes or appliances will be collected.
Suggested food donation items include: cereal, tuna (pop-top cans), meat products (pop-top cans), powdered milk, soups that can be eaten cold (pop-top cans), crackers, canned vegetables, juice.
Needed supplies include: mosquito spray/repellent, diapers, bars of soap, shampoo, dish washing soap, plastic utensils, toilet paper, zip lock bags, trash bags, paper plates, handy wipes, first aid supplies, flashlights and batteries and baby supplies.
Gently-used furniture items may be donated at ENCORE Furniture. All proceeds from the sale of these times will go to Western Colorado Disaster Relief, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Volunteers are also needed to help sort and box items for shipping. This who wish to give financial support, may mail checks to: 400 S. Townsend Ave, Montrose, CO. 81401.
For information, contact director Jan France at (970) 249-3419; cell (970) 708-9498; or email WCDisasterRelief@aol.com. For regional assistance, please contact the following people:
• Ridgway — contact Heather at 626-5368
• Ouray — donations may be dropped off at Main Street Bed & Breakfast at 334 Main Street. Contact Becky and Paul at (970) 325-4871
• Telluride — contact Misty Wells at (970) 708-7997
• Naturita — contact Deb at (970) 865-2523
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