By Susan Redden
sredden@joplinglobe.com
NEOSHO, Mo. — Volunteers with the American Red Cross are expecting today to be their busiest day at emergency service centers following the May 10 tornado.
The service centers, at the Calvary Baptist Church, 2650 Oak Ridge Extension, in Neosho, and the First Baptist Church, 357 Morgan St., in Newtonia, will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today, according to Carla Graham, executive director of the Greater Ozarks Chapter of the American Red Cross in Joplin.
“We’ve had a little over 100 people come through the service centers so far, but we think that’s a drop in the bucket,” said Greg James, financial development director. “In a lot of families, both family members are working or they haven’t been able to leave their damaged property so we think today will be their first opportunity to come.”
Red Cross volunteers will meet with tornado victims to learn their needs and help them get assistance. Those needing help will receive a prepaid credit card that can be used for food, clothing and other needs. If the resident has no place to live, the Red Cross will pay to put them in a motel, or can help with a deposit and the first month’s rent if a resident has found new housing.
The amount issued on the credit card depends on need, but normally is between $800 and $1,000 for a family of four. That would not include help with housing, or replacing medicine, eyeglasses or dentures.
Residents are asked to bring documentation with their property address, such as a driver license, utility bill or car registration. If they have not been able to find those records, they should still come and volunteers will work with them on verification, Graham said.
“Our goal, just for Red Cross help for people in Newton County, is up to $350,000,” said James. “Our job and mission is to help people with their immediate needs, then figure out how to pay for it. So we’ll be going to the public to raise money for that.”
People who want to donate can send a check to the Joplin office of the American Red Cross at 410 S. Jackson Ave., Joplin, Mo. 64801.
The service centers will close Sunday but will reopen Monday.
Assessment
Carla Graham, Red Cross executive director, said damage assessment in Newton County is nearly done and volunteers so far have counted 168 homes destroyed and 81 damaged by the tornado.
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