Community Corner

Plainfield Family, Firefighters Helping Oklahoma Tornado Victims

After reaching out following local flooding, Tom and Elizabeth Hug want to put together care packages to be sent to EMS in Oklahoma. Local firefighters are also lending a hand.

Editor's note: This article has been updated to include information on a collection at Plainfield Fire Protection District station 4.

A month ago, a Plainfield family wanted to do something for area residents hit hard by flooding.

Now, after a devastating tornado ripped through Moore, Oklahoma, Tom and Elizabeth Hug are at it again.

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Using the “Helping Hugs” Facebook page they set up following the April flooding, the Hugs put out a call Tuesday for donations to be sent to EMS responders in Oklahoma.

“I'm sitting watching the morning news with a need to help. I'm going to get a box together and send it to a firehouse in the Moore, Ok area for the EMS workers,” Elizabeth wrote.

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The couple is collecting snacks, coloring books, crayons, socks and cards offering well-wishes to be part of care packages sent to the Oklahoma first responders.

Other items that are needed:

  • Large Ziploc bags
  • New or used DVDs
  • Travel sizes of shampoo, body wash
  • Candy
  • Snacks
  • Gift cards to fast food
  • Gift cards to Walmart/Target
  • Playing cards
  • Pens
  • Small notebooks
  • Drink mix (for water bottles)
  • Colored pictures (get the kids to share some art)

“Get creative and ask your children to color pictures,” Elizabeth said. “Helping Hugs WILL make a difference to those that need an extra hug.”

If you’d like to make a donation, email HelpingHugs@ymail.com.

For more information, visit the Helping Hugs Facebook page.

Plainfield fire station serves as drop-off site

Plainfield Fire Protection District's Station 4 is also serving as a drop-off location for care package donations.

Firefighter Adam Slick said he's working with firefighters from Channahon and Chicago who plan to travel to Moore, OKlahoma.

"I told them I would help out in any way I could," Slick said Tuesday. Channahon firefighter Ryan Jandura and Chicago firefighter Sean Ragusa are planning to leave later for the tornado-stricken state once they have a list of supplies and donations needed by EMS.

Donations of items including water, non-perishable food, gift cards to restaurants and stores like Wal-Mart and Target are appreciated, along with construction materials. Donations can be dropped off anytime Wednesday or Thursday at Fire Station 4, 15930 S. Frederick St. (near Renwick and Route 59).

"If we're not there, people can leave [donations] at the door," he said.

On Tuesday, the Helping Hugs effort partnered with the Plainfield Fire Protection District, which will make sure items collected by Helping Hugs find their way to Oklahoma.

"They have a trailer going to Oklahoma! We are so excited that they will be able to give out the care packages," Elizabeth wrote. "The EMS staff can use the items for themselves their families or share in the community. The brave men and women need our support."

Other ways to help

On Tuesday, the medical examiner’s office in Oklahoma revised the death toll form 51 to 24 people, including nine children, according to ABC News.

Read: How to Help Animals Affected by the Oklahoma Tornado

The National Weather Service gave the tornado a preliminary rating of F-4, with winds of up to 200 mph.

The deadly storm cut a path of devastation outside of Oklahoma City, leveling buildings, homes and an elementary school.

Some ways you can help:

  • The Red Cross says in the immediate aftermath, the best way to help is to donate at RedCross.org or text REDCROSS to 90999.
  • The Salvation Army has mobilized in Oklahoma, and you can support them by donating online; or by texting STORM to 80888 to contribute $10 to the Salvation Army’s relief efforts; or by making a donation via phone at 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
  • For a longer lists of organizations related to recovery from the tornado, see this list on The Huffington Post. 

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Related:

  • 22 Years Later: Looking Back on the Plainfield Tornado
  • Remembering The 'Fun-Loving' Son Struck Down By Tornado
  • 'I've Never Seen Anything Like It'
  • More Than 200 Attend Tornado Remembrance Event
  • Never-Publicly-Shown Video Shows Plainfield Tornado Forming in DeKalb
  • Time Capsule with Donated Items Remembering the 1990 Tornado Sealed
  • Chilling 1967 Oak Lawn Tornado Recording Conjures Up Memories of Plainfield

Do you know of individuals, churches or other Plainfield-area organizations working to help the Oklahoma tornado victims? Let us know in the comments or email shannon.antinori@patch.com. 


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