How to contribute to tornado relief in Hamilton County

Red Cross volunteer Katherine Campbell Hudson wears her face mask as she visits tornado damaged residences in this south Prentiss, Miss., neighborhood, Tuesday, April 14, 2020, as recovery from Sunday's tornado continues. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Red Cross volunteer Katherine Campbell Hudson wears her face mask as she visits tornado damaged residences in this south Prentiss, Miss., neighborhood, Tuesday, April 14, 2020, as recovery from Sunday's tornado continues. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Hamilton County is asking those who wish to contribute to tornado relief efforts to follow these donation and volunteer protocols to ensure a safe, coordinated response effort.

A Volunteer Reception and Donation Center opened Thursday at the Hamilton Family YMCA on Shallowford Road to help aid in the organization of community relief efforts.

Those looking to volunteer for tornado recovery must pre-register at cha.city/volunteersignup.

Churches and other large groups should register by emailing cha.city.volunteer@gmail.com.

Volunteers are being divided into two classes of work:

- Manual Labor, which involves cleaning up brush and debris, delivering food and goods to tornado victims and heavy physical labor. The manual labor volunteers need to wear closed-toe shoes, long pants, work gloves, eye protection and face masks.

- Non-Manual Labor, which involves helping with volunteer check-in and accepting and sorting donations and curb pick-up. These volunteers need to wear gloves and face masks.

All volunteers need to park at the YMCA and will be bused in to the damaged area. Unauthorized vehicles will be towed.

Donations are needed and can be dropped off at the YMCA between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Needs include bottled water, non-perishable foods, work gloves, unused packing boxes, toilet paper, paper towels, contractor trash bags, shop paper towels and plastic storage containers.

Financial donations should be made through the Red Cross by visiting www.redcross.org or texting REDCROSS to 90999.

Click here for other ways to help tornado victims and for resources on how to receive help.

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