Arkansas Red Cross Coordinating Disaster Relief to Tornado Victims – Very Specific Help Needed

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas Red Cross is working with emergency managers and relief agencies across the state to get help to the tornado victims in Vilonia, Mayflower and other hard hit communities in central Arkansas.

At this time only trained first responders and disaster relief volunteers are needed in the area damaged by the storms Sunday night.

“The message we are getting from the Red Cross is that untrained volunteers will be a hindrance, not a help in relief efforts at this time,” said Angela Oxford, director of the Center for Community Engagement at the University of Arkansas. “The best ways that people on campus, in Northwest Arkansas, and around the state can help is by making financial donations to the Red Cross, or by donating blood. There will be a time for people to provide more ‘hands on’ assistance – but now is not that time.”

Parice Bowser, director of Greek Life at the U of A, has indicated that fraternities and sororities on campus are already collecting funds to donate to the relief effort.

Oxford says the Red Cross is specifically asking that people do NOT send truckloads of supplies to Mayflower or Vilonia, because right now the devastated communities lack the infrastructure to manage the donations.

The Rogers office of the Red Cross will accept and distribute “comfort kits” to replenish supplies that are currently being used to help those immediately affected by the tornado. Simple items such as bar soap, wash cloths, toothpaste and tooth brushes, deodorant, shampoo and coloring books and crayons for children will be a huge help to those whose homes were lost or damaged.

“We understand everyone’s desire to go and to help but just showing up can create more of a burden for an already fragile community,” said Oxford. “Our office will be communicating with the Red Cross throughout the coming week and we will send out a notice when cleanup volunteers are needed. Meanwhile, let’s do what will really help, and go when we can all be most effective and useful.”