By Wally Kennedy
Globe Staff Writer
JOPLIN, Mo. —
The American Red Cross in Joplin needs money to help the victims of Monday’s fire at the Oxford Park Apartments get back on their feet.
“These victims will need a lot of financial assistance and quickly,” said Kerstin Landwer, executive director of development for the local Red Cross chapter.
“Usually, it takes $1,000 to help a family of four,” she said. “We have people in 29 units who have been displaced. That means we will need $25,000 to $30,000 to help them get back on their feet.”
Donations may be mailed to or dropped off at the American Red Cross office at 410 S. Jackson Ave.
Donations of food, clothing, furniture and other household items should be given to the Salvation Army or Crosslines, Landwer said.
“We need the money to replace their medicine, eyeglasses and to get their first months’ rent on a new place to live,” Landwer said.
Fire victims will be given assistance from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at the Independent Living Center at 2634 E. 34th St. The center is south of the Hilton Garden Inn.
Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church, 2423 W. 26th St., was opened Monday night as a shelter for the victims, Landwer said.
Red Cross volunteers were at the scene Monday serving water and snacks to the firefighters. A tent was set up to provide shelter.
“Our main focus this (Monday) morning was to make sure they had enough to drink and eat, and a place to get out of the sun,” Landwer said.
The actual number of people who have been displaced by the fire was not immediately known Monday night, she said.
Financial assistance to them will include three nights in a hotel room, and a pre-loaded credit card that they can use to buy underwear, socks and basic necessities.
More help
~ A fledgling grass-roots organization, for now calling itself the Good Neighbors Association, is planning a clothing and toy drive from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and Wednesday on the parking lot outside Office Depot, 3132 S. Range Line, according to Jon Buck, head of the local group.
~ Officials with Downstream Casino Resort plan to commit $5,000 to assist the victims, according to Sean Harrison, spokesman for the business. He said Downstream hopes to assist in other ways also, but details had not been solidified as of Monday afternoon.
