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“Our neighbors needed our help so we just kinda came together as a group,” said Elaina Bradley, the Executive Director of Interfaith Hospitality Network. “We’re happy to come out and help.”
The volunteers also set up a grill along the way to give lunch to people in a neighborhood off of Wagner Ford Road in Dayton, an area with severe storm damage from Monday.
“We value the generosity of individuals, churches, businesses and community partners to help our neighbors and partners remain strong,” Bradley said.
Interfaith Hospitality Network is still accepting donations and is in need of the following items for another trip to help tornado victims: bottled water, cleaning supplies, gas cards, bus passes, gift cards, toiletry items and hygiene products.
Those interested in donating can drop off items at 501 W. High St. in Springfield.
Clark and Champaign county have been providing assistance in the days following Monday night when at least 14 tornadoes touched down across the region.
On Wednesday, the Chamber of Greater Springfield collected bottled water for donation for Dayton tornado victims.
The chamber dropped off water at Mike’s Bike Path in Dayton, which is one of the designated water drop-off and pick-up location for tornado victims in Dayton.
The Urbana Fire Division announced on Wednesday on their Facebook page that they would be assisting Dayton by providing mutual aid.
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“The Urbana Fire Division is providing mutual aid to the City of Dayton by sending a water tanked along with two personnel to DFD Station 18 for the day,” the post said.
Clark County Spokesman Michael Cooper said Clark County also dispatched five tanker trucks from across the county to provide aid to affected counties.
Officials were still assessing damage Thursday.
Beavercreek and Trotwood were two of the hardest hit areas.
The northern third of Beavercreek Twp. was in the path of the storm, Beavercreek Twp. Fire Chief David Vandenbos said.
Vandenbos said 800 to 1,000 homes and commercial buildings in Beavercreek Twp., which includes the city of Beavercreek, sustained damage from an EF-3 tornado.
The Mall at Fairfield Commons was closed on Wednesday as power surrounding the Beavercreek mall was out.
Mall officials said they could not determine when the shopping destination would reopen, as there are sections around the Mall at Fairfield Commons that are still inaccessible.
Nearly 500 homes were damaged and 59 were destroyed in Trotwood after Monday night’s tornado tore through the city. That tornado was initially labeled an EF-3, but the National Weather Service upgraded it to an EF-4 late Thursday.
How to help:
Donate goods:
The Interfaith Hospitality Network is collecting donations to distribute throughout Beavercreek and Montgomery county.
Items needed are; bottled water, cleaning supplies, gas cards, bus passes, gift cards, toiletry items and hygiene products.
Those interested in donating can drop off items at 501 W. High St. in Springfield.
Volunteer:
The American Red Cross is asking for volunteers to help with relief efforts in response to the Memorial Day tornadoes.
Volunteers are needed to assist in a number of activities, such as distributing emergency relief supplies and delivering meals and water to neighborhoods affected by the disaster.
Volunteers are asked to visit redcross.org and click on the, ‘Disaster Needed,’ link in the middle of the page to register.
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.”
Contributions can be mailed to, ‘The Dayton Foundation,’ located at 40 N. Main Street, Suite 500, Dayton, OH 45423.
Donate 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. Officials ask that people with Type O blood donate at the Dayton Community Blood Center, located at 349 S. Main St. in Dayton.
All blood types are being sought, but Type O positive is particularly needed as it is the universal blood type for all O, A, B and AB positive patients.
14: Tornadoes confirmed to have touched down on Memorial Day
1: Person dead in Celina due to tornadoes
800-1,000: Homes and buildings in Beavercreek Twp. with damage
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