Tornado relief: How you can help

If there is any silver lining in the tragedy and destruction left by a wave of tornadoes on Memorial Day, it’s how the community is supporting each other.

>> HOW TO HELP: Fundraisers and events that will support tornado relief

>> Community by community assessment of damage

In the aftermath in the storms, residents, businesses and organizations have rallied to offer assistance in the form of donations, supplies and cleanup work.

>> You can help by buying a cookie at Panera

That generous spirit is something the community will need in the weeks and months to come as the community rebuilds.

Here are some specific ways to continue to offer support this week and moving forward.

>> HAVE A TIP TO ASSIST WITH RECOVERY?

Severe storms and tornadoes hit the Miami Valley Monday night, leaving many in the area without power, access to drinkable water or safe shelter.

>> Everything you need to know after the tornadoes

WAYS TO HELP NOW 

• Contribute to the fund 

The Dayton Foundation has established the Greater Dayton Disaster Relief Fund.

The fund was established to "allow the Foundation to quickly distribute disaster relief funds to charitable organizations that currently are working to help provide food, clothing and shelter for our friends and neighbors who are affected by these storms," a note on the Dayton Foundation website reads.

Contributes can be mailed to The Dayton Foundation, 40 N. Main Street, Suite 500, Dayton, OH 45423.

A donation can also be made on online here. 

List “Greater Dayton Disaster Relief" on the check or in the fund name field.

>> Greater Dayton Disaster Relief Fund established to help those affected by tornadoes

•  Support the Foodbank 

To help those affected by severe weather, The Foodbank in Dayton is asking for bottled water and non-perishable food item donations, as well as volunteers to help sort food. The Foodbank ask that the non-perishable food items are easy to open.

Bottled water and non-perishable food item donations can be dropped off at the warehouse at 56 Armor Place in Dayton from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  until June 7.

>> Celebrities answer the call to help Dayton tornado relief

Those looking to volunteer their time can call the Foodbank to schedule a time to help by calling 937-461-0265, extension 27.

The Foodbank asked those looking to volunteer to stay out of affected areas due to safety concerns.

>> Cox Media Group Ohio partners with Food Bank for tornado relief

• Help the Red Cross

The American Red Cross said the best and quickest way to assist those impacted is to donate money, since it takes time and money to sort, store and distribute donated items.

To make a $10 donation, visit RedCross.org, call 1-800-REDCROSS or text the word RedCROSS to 90999.

• ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES

Montgomery County is seeking volunteers. Licensed professionals in skilled trades, medical and veterinary fields, as well as individuals and companies that own and operate equipment — everything from chainsaws to heavy equipment — are needed. Volunteers will be matched to organizations with specific volunteer needs. Volunteers need their phooto ID, and can register at Sinclair Community College, Building 20. You can register seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Ginghamsburg Methodist Church's Tipp City campus is organizing its June 8 and June 22 service days around assisting those harmed by the storms and tornadoes, Nathan Combs, the church's executive director of operations, said.

Those interested in the service days should send email to Ngarrett@Ginghamsburg.org

Safe house studios is looking for volunteers to help out with handing out donations they received and getting supplies to those in need with out means of transportation. They will be meeting at Pippins Market at 5440 Olive Road, Trotwood. They are also still accepting donations of food, water, or anything that someone would need.

• DONATE

Tipp city "Fill the Truck" Collecting items for local victims

— Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley invites people to donate through its website, cssmv.org. spokesman Mike Lehner said.

Online contribute to support the pantry allow us the flexibility to purchase the food,” he said. “That’s the best way for them to help us help people.”

— Donations for tornado relief can dropped at St. Vincent de Paul Community Store, 120 W. Apple St. in Dayton 24-hours a day.

— The city of Dayton has also opened three recreational facilities for donations :

Northwest Recreation Center, 1600 Princeton Dr.,  Greater Dayton Recreation Center, 2021 W Third St. and Lohrey Recreation Center, 2366 Glenarm Ave.  Hours for the centers are Monday-Friday, 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Donations of skids or larger should be made at the Expo Center, Dayton Airport, 3900 McCauley Drive, Vandalia from 7 a.m. - 2 p.m.

— The Puerto Rican American and Caribbean Organization of Dayton is accepting donations for Dayton tornado victims Saturday June 8, 15 and 22 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Dayton International School Spanish Immersion Academy at 5700 Far Hills Avenue. The organization is not accepting clothing, food or water, but is accepting personal care items, cleaning supplies, paper products, first aid items, batteries, candles, diapers, latex and work gloves, masks, shovels, flashlights, etc. Gift cards are accepted and preferred.

— The Miami Valley Veterans Museum and the Franklin Masonic Lodge of Troy are running a joint donation drop off Wednesday, June 5 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at their location at 107 W. Main St. Items needed include water, toiletries, baby supplies, dog food, work gloves, hygiene supplies, safety glasses, bandages, trash bags, tarps, flashlights with batteries, bug spray, contact lens solution, buckets and sunscreen. Items should be dropped off on the ground floor. Contact Bruce Ball of Troy on Facebook if you need to donate after that time to arrange a drop off.

— Cedar Hill Furniture is accepting donations during regular business hours at its Huber Heights, Kettering and Springfield locations.

The store is asking for donated water, canned food, baby formula, diapers, wipes, personal hygiene products, new underwear, trash bags, batteries and socks. Cedar Hill Furniture is open from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

— The Bob Ross Auto Group is accepting donations for the Dayton Area Tornado Relief. Employees will distribute donations to the Red Cross, United Way, and the Dayton Foodbank. The group also is donating $50 for every vehicle sold and $5 for every vehicle serviced in the month of June. Monetary donations will be divided evenly among the three unless the donor has indicated which specific organization they want their money to go toward.

— The 19th Annual African-American Wellness Walk on June 8 from 7:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. will also serve as a drop-off location for supplies to aid individuals affected by the tornadoes. The following supplies are appreciated: toiletries and hygiene products, toilet paper, diapers, baby formula, batters (AA, AAA, C and D), flash lights and non-perishable snacks.

— The Bellbrook Music Boosters and Fresh Thyme are hosting a fundraiser on June 8 from 12 p.m.-3 p.m. at the Fresh Thyme location on Feedwire Road. The event will include a cookout while Bellbrook music students provide music and a car wash. Donated items will also be accepted. All proceeds from the event will go to the Greater Dayton Disaster Relief Fund.

• GIVE BLOOD

An urgent call for blood donations has been made in light of Monday’s tornadoes and a busy holiday weekend at local hospitals.

The Community Blood Center has a critical need for type O positive blood, Mark Pompilio, a spokesman for the center, said.

Officials ask that people with O type blood to donate blood at the Dayton Community Blood Center, 349 South Main St.

Donors can also visit www.DonorTime.com or call 1-800-388-GIVE to schedule the best time to donate.

All blood types are being sought but O positive is particularly needed.

O positive blood is  the universal blood type for all positive RH factor (O, A, B, and AB positive) patients.

Type O positive is the most common blood type.

>> HOW TO HELP: Critical need for blood in wake of tornadoes, long holiday weekend in Dayton 

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• More volunteer opportunities coming 

Nick Eddy, the manager of the United Way of the Greater Dayton Area’s Volunteer Connection, anticipates that there will be many more volunteer opportunities as the United Way’s agencies in Montgomery Greene and Preble counties get a better handle on the community’s needs.

Civic pride is high in the Miami Valley and people are primed to pitch in, he said.

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“Dayton’s spirit is riding high, Eddy said. “Any time is a terrible time to have a disaster like this, but the community is ready to stand strong.”

Updates on how to volunteer to causes related to the tornadoes will be posted on the   Volunteer Connection website, volunteerdayton.org.

Eddy said projects for the United Way of Dayton’s Day of Action set for June 21 will likely revolve around recovery from the storms and tornadoes.

“I think there will be a lot of painting to be done and repairs to be made,” he said.