UPDATED: Ways to Help Illinois' Tornado Victims

Photo by Angharad Urch.
Governor Bruce Rauner declared DeKalb and Ogle counties state disaster areas. At least two people in DeKalb County are reported dead and roughly a dozen more injured. Dozens of homes and businesses have been damaged or destroyed.

Every standing structure in the village of Fairdale, IL was either damaged or destroyed by last night's tornado. Kirkland and Rochelle also sustain significant damage.

 Here are ways you can help:
  •  Share well-wishes through Fairdale, IL Tornado Recovery Facebook page.
  • The Kirkland Fire Department, located at 3891 State Rt. 72 in Kirkland, IL is no longer taking donations of items. They will accept gift cards and Visa/Mastercard debit cards. Monetary donation can be made at the GoFundMe account.
          The Village of Kirkland will provide updates on future needs.
  • An Official Go Fund Me account has been established at Alpine Bank in Kirkland for anyone looking to make monetary donations or mail donations to:
                        Alpine Bank
                        Fairdale Relief Fund
                        PO Box 280
                        Kirkland, IL 60146
  • Alpine Bank will be collecting non-perishable food items for the Kirkland Food Pantry to help serve the victims of last night’s tornado in Fairdale. Between now, and Friday, April 17.
          Boxes will be located Alpine Bank Branches at E. State, Belvidere Downtown,
          Highcrest, and Kirkland.
  • WGN Radio has partnered with The Robert R. McCormick Foundation, WGN-TV, Chicago Tribune and Hoy to launch a tornado relief effort.
          The first $500,000 raised will be matched by the McCormick Foundation at
          50 cents on the dollar for a total of $250,000 in matching funds.

          All administrative expenses are paid for by the Foundation and their Partners,
          ensuring 100% of the donations, plus the match, will go to the communities
          impacted by the storm to help them rebuild from the devastation.

          In addition, Governor Bruce Rauner is matching donations with a personal
          contribution of up to $100,000 to our Illinois Tornado Relief Effort. You can
          triple your donation with the Governor Rauner’s Challenge. Here’s how it works:

    • You give $10.
    • The Governor will give $10.
    • The Foundation will give $10.
    • Your $10 donation is now $30!

          Grants are made to qualified nonprofit organizations, in Illinois, leading the disaster
          relief and recovery efforts for those communities in need. The first round of grants
          will be distributed to the affected communities by May 2015.

          There are three ways to donate:
                    Illinois Tornado Relief Effort
                    23912 Network Place
                    Chicago, IL 60673-1239


We'll keep this site updated as more information becomes available.
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