How you can help those affected by the tornado in Colorado

[uppityperson]

http://www.weldsheriff.com/

Search for the status of friends and family impacted by the disaster at Red Cross www.safeandwell.org

Anyone wanting to donate time, money, or resources please use the form below to contact United Way or call United Way at 211 or 970-353-4300 or 800-559-5590.
A message from Sheriff Cooke is here>>

Weld County Sheriff’s Office
1950 O Street
Greeley, Colorado 80631
MEDIA RELEASE – For Immediate Release
May 22, 2008
For more information contact
Sheriff John Cooke
Weld County Sheriff’s Office
Recommended Donations for the Relief of the Central Weld Tornado Effort
(Windsor, Colorado) Following the Central Weld Tornado that occurred May 22, 2008, there has been an outpouring of support and a desire to make donations to help with relief efforts. The Weld County Sheriff’s Office is helping coordinate donations/contributions, and offers the following guidelines to help ensure the most important items quickly reach those affected by Central Weld Tornado:
• Coordinate with your favorite disaster response agency to ensure the right type and amount of items are collected. You can also call 2-1-1 or 1(800) 559-5590 for a list of current needs.
• Focus on one or two items that the agency says it needs to help reduce time spent sorting items.
• Items contributed should be new, in unopened packages.
• A financial contribution, earmarked for a particular disaster response like Central Weld Tornado, is often the most efficient way to help relief efforts. Cash helps ensure the agency can obtain exactly what is needed to best assist the community, and provides an easily documented tax deduction for you.
• Check back with the agency after a few days, or even weeks, to see if further contributions are needed to continue relief efforts.
Some items may hinder effective response to a disaster. Though the thought is appreciated, you may want to avoid these items:
• Collecting used clothing, which is difficult to sort and expensive to transport. Instead, consider having a yard-sale and contributing the proceeds for disaster relief. Clothing and other small items can also be donated to local organizations at any time to help with ongoing local needs.
• Disaster response agencies are not permitted to use bottled water that is not commercially sealed; home-canned food; canned goods that are dented, rusted or out of date; or used underwear.
• Do not collect items for disaster relief unless you are certain that those types of items are needed for relief efforts.
“The people of our state, and across the nation, are always so generous in times of need,” said Sheriff John Cooke. “We’re very appreciative of that generosity, and want to help the public help us to ensure that the right items reach the right places at the right time. These basic guidelines will ensure we can all work together to do the most good, and we thank everyone for their support.”
More information about the Central Weld Tornado relief efforts can be obtained by calling 2-1-1 or 1(800) 559-5590, or on the internet at www.weldsheriff.com.

Edited to add picture link: http://www.weldsheriff.com/media/windsor/

[Greyskye]

1. This pic was sent to me this morning by a friend in the area

Windsor CO took a direct hit.

[uppityperson]

2. Whew. I hope your friend is ok. That sheriff link gives link to animals also.

Shelter says they have had 30 animals turned in so far.

[Greyskye]

3. Missed her by a couple miles

I was IM'ing her when the tornado warning came through. It was pretty scary stuff. :scared: