We are one month and two days out from the tornado that hit Washington and Daviess County. Here are just a few thoughts of mine after I just left an early morning meeting with a tornado victim family.
1) Thankfulness abounds. I am grateful for the help that our local community and outside organizations have been able to give at this point. The brotherly love shared between strangers has been inspiring!
2) The road to recovery is a long one. Even with insurance, some families struggled to meet deductibles and will struggling replacing the items insurance may not cover such as storm doors, garages, vehicles, etc.
3) People can feel undeserving. I am encouraged but also a little saddened by those victims who say, "We'll be alright as we piece things together little by little. Go help someone else who needs it more." Often they feel they haven't done enough or been good enough to warrant all the help and attention they are getting. We in the helping fields must be patient with them as they slowly realize their needs.
4) God has been good to our community.
Where do we go from here as a community? I would encourage you to keep your ears open for small needs that you can meet. If you know a tornado victim, pickup a small gift for them next time you are out shopping and leave it on their doorstep just to say "We're still thinking of you."
Don't forget to help your local organizations who are still helping tornado victims such as:
Daviess County Organizations Active in Disaster
The United Way
The Salvation Army
The Red Cross
Feed My Sheep
May you have a very Merry Christmas!
~ Chris"Topher"
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Monday, November 25, 2013
Victim Contact Information Form
Click Here: Victim Contact Information Form
We need your help! With organizations willing and wanting to help the tornado victims with their needs, it is imperative that we are able to contact those who are living or once lived in the tornado path. Filling out this contact form could mean the difference between a family receiving free aid and not receiving it. This form is not a promise of aid, but rather an attempt to get contact information for those who might qualify for aid.
Due to the fact that so many families have moved quickly to alternate temporary/permanent addresses, contacting them is difficult. We understand that you as their friend or relative might not know all the information below, but just providing what you do know can help us develop the contact list. We will compare this form with postal records and other community resources to determine who the residents are from the damage area and how to contact them.
This information will be treated with the utmost care and not given out to contractors or businesses, but will be treated with confidentiality from the Mayor's office and the County Emergency Management Agency.
Thank you for volunteering your time as you fill out this form in care for others!
If you have any questions or concerns please contact Mayor Joe Wellman's office at 812-254-5575 or the website administrator of this form, Christopher Wiles (Minister at Washington Church of Christ), at 812-610-2484.
Click Here: Victim Contact Information Form
We need your help! With organizations willing and wanting to help the tornado victims with their needs, it is imperative that we are able to contact those who are living or once lived in the tornado path. Filling out this contact form could mean the difference between a family receiving free aid and not receiving it. This form is not a promise of aid, but rather an attempt to get contact information for those who might qualify for aid.
Due to the fact that so many families have moved quickly to alternate temporary/permanent addresses, contacting them is difficult. We understand that you as their friend or relative might not know all the information below, but just providing what you do know can help us develop the contact list. We will compare this form with postal records and other community resources to determine who the residents are from the damage area and how to contact them.
This information will be treated with the utmost care and not given out to contractors or businesses, but will be treated with confidentiality from the Mayor's office and the County Emergency Management Agency.
Thank you for volunteering your time as you fill out this form in care for others!
If you have any questions or concerns please contact Mayor Joe Wellman's office at 812-254-5575 or the website administrator of this form, Christopher Wiles (Minister at Washington Church of Christ), at 812-610-2484.
Click Here: Victim Contact Information Form
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Message from Mayor Wellman: Volunteer Center and Thank You
Students leading the way...
We were very blessed to have several
student groups leading the way in debris cleanup from the tornado of
November 17th, 2013. Those groups included but are not limited to:
Lincoln High School, Loogootee High School, Vincennes University,
Washington Catholic School, Washington High School, and the Homeschool
Ambassadors group.
We're sure more volunteered and we're happy to add them to the album if you send us a photo. Tag your friends!
Thanks again to ALL the wonderful volunteers who have served so far. But don't quit now, there are still more opportunities to do good for your neighbors all around.
To view a Washington Times Herald video of some groups serving, including the Ambassadors group not pictured in the album below, follow this YouTube link: http://youtu.be/
We're sure more volunteered and we're happy to add them to the album if you send us a photo. Tag your friends!
Thanks again to ALL the wonderful volunteers who have served so far. But don't quit now, there are still more opportunities to do good for your neighbors all around.
To view a Washington Times Herald video of some groups serving, including the Ambassadors group not pictured in the album below, follow this YouTube link: http://youtu.be/
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| Lincoln High School |
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| Loogootee High School |
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| Vincennes University |
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| Washington Catholic School |
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| Washington High School |
Friday, November 22, 2013
A Message from the Mayor
Thank you, thank you, thank you - words that seem so small
when I think of everything and everyone The outpouring of assistance has been
extremely gratifying and truly humbling.
While it is impossible right now to list by name the sources of help,
please allow me to express appreciation personally & on behalf of the community.
From the great number of volunteers of all ages that
have been here, to businesses, churches & non-profit organizations, to the
cooperation of our City department employees, to County personnel – all who donated
food, water, shelter, equipment & manpower – I am grateful to all. The volunteers have come from everywhere,
from down the street to several States away.
And to my fellow City Mayors who offered equipment, manpower, emotional
support, and prayers, thank you.
But my biggest Thank You is to Almighty God for protecting
us from death and injury.
With eternal gratitude,
Joe Wellman
Mayor,
Washington, Indiana
Volunteers for Saturday
We are still accepting and directing volunteers toward
service areas for Saturday, our last organized volunteer day. We've had
just a few more debris removal opportunities come our way. We would
also appreciate the help of at least one more chain saw crew.
The Governor's office and area disaster management agencies have visited and agree, Washington is way ahead of schedule! By Saturday afternoon we fully plan to wrap up the debris removal stage of the recovery process. We are so grateful for all of you who have volunteered your time, energy, and funds for the Washington tornado victims.
Register at the Assembly of God at 320 S Meridian St. and dress in warm layers!
If you are still looking for more service opportunities after tomorrow stay tuned and we'll have more information about how you can be a blessing in lives of others in the aftermath of the tornadoes.
The Governor's office and area disaster management agencies have visited and agree, Washington is way ahead of schedule! By Saturday afternoon we fully plan to wrap up the debris removal stage of the recovery process. We are so grateful for all of you who have volunteered your time, energy, and funds for the Washington tornado victims.
Register at the Assembly of God at 320 S Meridian St. and dress in warm layers!
If you are still looking for more service opportunities after tomorrow stay tuned and we'll have more information about how you can be a blessing in lives of others in the aftermath of the tornadoes.
Video of Volunteers from the Washington Times Herald
Here is a great video of our student volunteers in action from the Washington Times Herald reporter Nate Smith.
Friday Cleanup Notes
Thank You!
Wow, we have been blessed with at least 600 volunteers this week! It is hard to imagine the amount of hours of service that have been donated. In particular we would like to take this opportunity to thank the students from Washington Catholic, Lincoln High School, Washington High School, and Home-school Ambassadors for all of your service this week!
Volunteer Work
The remainder of the work for Friday in the city limits looks to be raking, sweeping, picking up of small debris, and putting debris trash bags by the road side. We have identified two trees down on the Eastern side of town as well that will require chainsaw work. Outside the city limits we have a bit more of debris moving to do as we move west along Highway 150 toward Etiennes (HN's) market. Please wear work boots if available to reduce the risk of injury from nails. Remember to first check in at the Volunteer Center located at the Assembly of God on 320 S. Meridian St. We are hoping that our our most immediate clean up needs to be complete by the end of the day Friday.
Barricades
Police barricades will remain up through Friday at 4pm to protect our victims and volunteers from traffic. Please do not drive your vehicles around the barricades and drive slowly around the area.
Victims Needing Help
If you are a tornado victim needing any assistance please call the Connections helpline at 812-257-2650. If a volunteer does not answer, please leave a message and you will be contacted. You may also visit the Volunteer Center on Friday to report a need.
Materials Donations
Our community is currently not asking for any more material donations. The known needs for food, cleaning supplies, and clothing have been met at this time. Furniture Connections is taking furniture donations for tornado relief. If you have a question about donating please call 812-257-2650. Thank you. We are currently working to handle our surplus. Thank you for your desire to help.
Monetary Donations
We are currently seeing an increase in those needing help to get into more permanent housing. We are also starting to get requests for moneys to repair the electrical riser (estimated at $550 for materials and installation) on the house so that the electric company can get power to the house. See groups below to help donate to these causes.
Daviess County Organizations Active in Disaster is equipped to receive funds for tornado disaster. Donations are being received. Send checks to DCOAD or United Way of Daviess County, PO Box 224, Wash. IN 47501, marked "Tornado Relief". [DCOAD includes DC Emergency Management Agency, DC Sheriff Department, DC Health Department, American Red Cross, United Way of Daviess County, et all]. Applications for 'need' come through "Connections", at 257-2650. If you are making a monetary donation to Feed My Sheep or the United Way checks can be dropped off at the Home Building Savings and Loan with "Tornado Relief" in the memo field.
Red Cross is taking donations at their office location on 21st Street behind Old National Bank.
Salvation Army donations could be brought to the trailer they have set up on location at the Volunteer Center on Friday.
All of these groups have been a big help to those in need in our community!
Community Hospitality
Please remember that we have many from surrounding communities traveling and sacrificing their time, money, and effort to serve our victims. Please show them Washington hospitality. Treat them like they were welcome guests in your own home. Consider letting them in front of you in line, anonymously covering their bill in restaurants, sharpening their chainsaws and plugging their nail filled tires at a discounted rate, or reducing their hotel costs. Make sure that all of our visiting volunteers feel welcomed and get the best treatment Washington can give!
Wow, we have been blessed with at least 600 volunteers this week! It is hard to imagine the amount of hours of service that have been donated. In particular we would like to take this opportunity to thank the students from Washington Catholic, Lincoln High School, Washington High School, and Home-school Ambassadors for all of your service this week!
Volunteer Work
The remainder of the work for Friday in the city limits looks to be raking, sweeping, picking up of small debris, and putting debris trash bags by the road side. We have identified two trees down on the Eastern side of town as well that will require chainsaw work. Outside the city limits we have a bit more of debris moving to do as we move west along Highway 150 toward Etiennes (HN's) market. Please wear work boots if available to reduce the risk of injury from nails. Remember to first check in at the Volunteer Center located at the Assembly of God on 320 S. Meridian St. We are hoping that our our most immediate clean up needs to be complete by the end of the day Friday.
Barricades
Police barricades will remain up through Friday at 4pm to protect our victims and volunteers from traffic. Please do not drive your vehicles around the barricades and drive slowly around the area.
Victims Needing Help
If you are a tornado victim needing any assistance please call the Connections helpline at 812-257-2650. If a volunteer does not answer, please leave a message and you will be contacted. You may also visit the Volunteer Center on Friday to report a need.
Materials Donations
Our community is currently not asking for any more material donations. The known needs for food, cleaning supplies, and clothing have been met at this time. Furniture Connections is taking furniture donations for tornado relief. If you have a question about donating please call 812-257-2650. Thank you. We are currently working to handle our surplus. Thank you for your desire to help.
Monetary Donations
We are currently seeing an increase in those needing help to get into more permanent housing. We are also starting to get requests for moneys to repair the electrical riser (estimated at $550 for materials and installation) on the house so that the electric company can get power to the house. See groups below to help donate to these causes.
Daviess County Organizations Active in Disaster is equipped to receive funds for tornado disaster. Donations are being received. Send checks to DCOAD or United Way of Daviess County, PO Box 224, Wash. IN 47501, marked "Tornado Relief". [DCOAD includes DC Emergency Management Agency, DC Sheriff Department, DC Health Department, American Red Cross, United Way of Daviess County, et all]. Applications for 'need' come through "Connections", at 257-2650. If you are making a monetary donation to Feed My Sheep or the United Way checks can be dropped off at the Home Building Savings and Loan with "Tornado Relief" in the memo field.
Red Cross is taking donations at their office location on 21st Street behind Old National Bank.
Salvation Army donations could be brought to the trailer they have set up on location at the Volunteer Center on Friday.
All of these groups have been a big help to those in need in our community!
Community Hospitality
Please remember that we have many from surrounding communities traveling and sacrificing their time, money, and effort to serve our victims. Please show them Washington hospitality. Treat them like they were welcome guests in your own home. Consider letting them in front of you in line, anonymously covering their bill in restaurants, sharpening their chainsaws and plugging their nail filled tires at a discounted rate, or reducing their hotel costs. Make sure that all of our visiting volunteers feel welcomed and get the best treatment Washington can give!
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Thursday & Friday Cleanup
From the Mayor's Meeting concerning cleanup on Thursday and Friday
Thank You!
Thank you for your overwhelming response in helping our community cleanup. The efforts have been a tremendous success!
Volunteer Work
The remainder of the work for Thursday and Friday looks to be raking, sweeping, picking up of small debris, and putting debris trash bags by the road side. Many garden rakes, wheel barrows, and flat blade shovels have been donated. Please wear work boots if available to reduce the risk of injury from nails. Remember to first check in at the Volunteer Center located at the Assembly of God on 320 S. Meridian St. We are currently expecting our clean up needs to be complete by the end of the day Friday. Thanks again for your service!
Electrical Wires
Please do not approach to pick up any power lines laying on the ground. Wires may still have current. Please call the electric department to report downed lines that need to be removed or report them at the Volunteer Center located at the Assembly of God on Meridian St.
Barricades
Police barricades will remain up through Thursday evening to protect our volunteers from traffic. Please do not drive your vehicles around the barricades.
Victims Needing Help
If you are a tornado victim needing any assistance please call the Connections helpline at 812-257-2650. If a volunteer does not answer, please leave a message and you will be contacted. You may also visit the Volunteer City on Thursday to report a need.
Materials Donations
Our community is currently not asking for any more material donations. The known needs for food, cleaning supplies, and clothing have been met at this time. We are currently working to handle our surplus. Thank you for your desire to help.
Monetary Donations
Thank You!
Thank you for your overwhelming response in helping our community cleanup. The efforts have been a tremendous success!
Volunteer Work
The remainder of the work for Thursday and Friday looks to be raking, sweeping, picking up of small debris, and putting debris trash bags by the road side. Many garden rakes, wheel barrows, and flat blade shovels have been donated. Please wear work boots if available to reduce the risk of injury from nails. Remember to first check in at the Volunteer Center located at the Assembly of God on 320 S. Meridian St. We are currently expecting our clean up needs to be complete by the end of the day Friday. Thanks again for your service!
Electrical Wires
Please do not approach to pick up any power lines laying on the ground. Wires may still have current. Please call the electric department to report downed lines that need to be removed or report them at the Volunteer Center located at the Assembly of God on Meridian St.
Barricades
Police barricades will remain up through Thursday evening to protect our volunteers from traffic. Please do not drive your vehicles around the barricades.
Victims Needing Help
If you are a tornado victim needing any assistance please call the Connections helpline at 812-257-2650. If a volunteer does not answer, please leave a message and you will be contacted. You may also visit the Volunteer City on Thursday to report a need.
Materials Donations
Our community is currently not asking for any more material donations. The known needs for food, cleaning supplies, and clothing have been met at this time. We are currently working to handle our surplus. Thank you for your desire to help.
Monetary Donations
Daviess County
Organizations Active in Disaster is equipped to receive funds for tornado
disaster. Donations are being received. Send checks to DCOAD or United
Way of Daviess County, PO Box 224, Wash. IN 47501, marked "Tornado
Relief". [DCOAD includes DC Emergency Management Agency,
DC Sheriff Department, DC Health Department, American Red Cross, United
Way of Daviess County, et all]. Applications for 'need' come through
"Connections", at 257-2650.
The DCOAD [Daviess
County Organizations Active in Diaster] grew out of the DCLTRC [Long-Term
Recovery Committee] formed in 2008. The mission statement is,
"To meet the need[s] for ongoing coordination & preparedness
among communities [in Daviess County] by providing volunteers, financial,
spiritial, physical and/or psychological support for individuals whose
lives have been ravaged by a natural disaster in Daviess County.
To provide collaborative
leadership in the discernment of long-term needs for recovery and rehbilitation
that can be most effectively met by this community. This mission
is establilshed to prepare, protect & care for the citizens of Daviess
County before, during & after a disaster."
Contact people
for DCOAD are: Paul Goss, DCEMA; Ken Pierson, Director;
Sherry Davies Case Manager; Brenda Sobecki, Physical Agent; Cindy
Barber, secretary; Richard Smith, board chr.
If people want to help the Red Cross as we continue to help those affected by the tornado. Monetary contributions can be mailed to PO box 350 or dropped off at the Red Cross office, 307 SE 21st Street in Washington.
If people want to help the Red Cross as we continue to help those affected by the tornado. Monetary contributions can be mailed to PO box 350 or dropped off at the Red Cross office, 307 SE 21st Street in Washington.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Food for Victims & Volunteers
A reminder that there will be food for victims and volunteers available at the Assembly of God on Wednesday November 20th from 11am - 1pm and 4pm to 5:30pm.
320 S. Meridian Street
From Mayor Wellman
From Mayor Wellman"Besides lots of thanks that I've posted to my personal website (& will post in the future here & there), the 2 biggest messages right now are: (1) Thank You, dear God, for sparing the citizens of our City & County from injuries as a result of the tornado. (2) If you have been a victim of the tornado, please stop by the Assembly of God church at Meridian & Harned this week & let us know what you need. We have had an outpouring of help for volunteer work, food, water, toiletries, etc, but we need to know where to send it."
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
The Mayor's Message
Here are messages from Mayor Wellman regarding tornado relief for Wednesday, 11/20/13. Please
share through your social media networks to reach the Washington tornado victims.
Barricades:
No one but tenants and volunteers with wristbands are to be inside the barricaded areas, day and night. Those who drive around street barricades will be subject to ticketing.
Community Needs:
Homeowners and tenants in the affected area who need food, supplies, work to be done, or other help are asked to go to the Assembly of God Church at Meridian and Harned to let us know of the need. Please see Angela, Christopher, or Natalie.
Volunteers:
Volunteers are asked to go to the Assembly of God Church at Meridian and Harned to register to work and to get a wristband identifying you as a welcomed volunteer. Please wear appropriate clothing and work boots due to hazards of working in debri areas.
Work:
Our chainsaw and heavy equipment work in the Sycamore Street area is winding down drawing the focus more on small debri removal.
Food:
The Salvation Army will have food available for volunteer workers and tenants affected by the tornado at the Assembly of God Church on Wednesday as follows
A reminder that burning of building debris and leaves inside city limits is prohibited. Clean wood may be burned.
Scams:
Please beware of scam artists in the area. If you have any questions about whether or not an offer, bid, or "contractor" is legitimate please contact the Washington Building Commissioner's Office at 812-254-8208 to see if a contractor is registered to do work in the city.
Damage Reports:
Help our state assess damage by reporting on the state website. Follow this link: http://www.in.gov/dhs/
Once again, please share this message through out social media networks in the Washington area.
Barricades:
No one but tenants and volunteers with wristbands are to be inside the barricaded areas, day and night. Those who drive around street barricades will be subject to ticketing.
Community Needs:
Homeowners and tenants in the affected area who need food, supplies, work to be done, or other help are asked to go to the Assembly of God Church at Meridian and Harned to let us know of the need. Please see Angela, Christopher, or Natalie.
Volunteers:
Volunteers are asked to go to the Assembly of God Church at Meridian and Harned to register to work and to get a wristband identifying you as a welcomed volunteer. Please wear appropriate clothing and work boots due to hazards of working in debri areas.
Work:
Our chainsaw and heavy equipment work in the Sycamore Street area is winding down drawing the focus more on small debri removal.
Food:
The Salvation Army will have food available for volunteer workers and tenants affected by the tornado at the Assembly of God Church on Wednesday as follows
- Breakfast - 7:30am
- Lunch - 11am to 1pm
- Supper - 4pm to 5:30pm
- Cash donations to help families may be made to the Daviess County United Way and dropped off at the Home Building Savings Bank or mailed to P.O. Box 224. Mark your check with the word "Tornado".
- Feed My Sheep is also accepting cash donations
- Feed My Sheep drop-off barrel has been placed at Feed My Sheep (601 Oak Street) for non-perishable food, toiletries, and paper good donations.
- Donations of furniture should contact Connections at 257-2650 from 9am to noon Monday through Friday , or leave a message.
- Clothing donations may be made to St. Vincent DePaul or to Goodwill (when they re-open)
- A reminder that on Thursday a city trash truck will be located at Lemon & fourth Street from 8am to 10am and at Meridian & Sycamore from 10am to noon for the convenience of affected tenants to take spoiled food & household chemicals & trash.
- A reminder to place trees & limbs, metal, and lumber at the street side in separate piles to have it picked up as soon as possible.
A reminder that burning of building debris and leaves inside city limits is prohibited. Clean wood may be burned.
Scams:
Please beware of scam artists in the area. If you have any questions about whether or not an offer, bid, or "contractor" is legitimate please contact the Washington Building Commissioner's Office at 812-254-8208 to see if a contractor is registered to do work in the city.
Damage Reports:
Help our state assess damage by reporting on the state website. Follow this link: http://www.in.gov/dhs/
Once again, please share this message through out social media networks in the Washington area.
Lunch Served for Volunteers -Tuesday 11am.
Lunch for Volunteer helpers and tornado victims is currently being served at the Red Cross setup at the Kingdom Life Assembly of God at 320 S Meridian St. Volunteers, please take a break at some point to take care of yourself and come enjoy a warm meal.
Special thanks to Plainville Christian Church for providing the warm meal. The Red Cross says that no more food donations are needed for today.
Special thanks to Plainville Christian Church for providing the warm meal. The Red Cross says that no more food donations are needed for today.
Basic Information
This is your stop for information about tornado relief efforts in Washington, IN, following the November 17, 2013 tornado.
Volunteers are asked to stop by the Volunteer Center at 320 S Meridian St. and get an armband and register before serving. Also, if anyone has a need, feel free to send it directly to this page and we will respond with those needs.
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