PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Terry Bibo

(309) 657-3445 terry.bibo.freelance@gmail.com

HELPERS AND HELP STILL NEEDED IN TAZEWELL COUNTY

WASHINGTON -- If you want to help this town recover from tornadoes, prepare to grab a shovel. If you need a little help yourself, just grab the phone.

Massive storms in northern Illinois are a reminder that healing from such a catastrophe takes time. It has been almost 18 months since more than 1,100 homes in Tazewell County were destroyed. There is still work to do, both for those who want to help and for those struggling to reach their new normal.'

"Almost everyday, the LTR Center is contacted by new and returning clients,” says Disaster Case Manager Supervisor Amber Wells. “As the community moves through the recovery process, clients are discovering they may need more assistance than they originally thought.”

LTR coordinates resources and information to make the lengthy recovery process as simple as possible for volunteers and clients alike.

Heading up the volunteer management committee, Bethany Community Church has organized thousands of volunteers. Ameren Illinois and Caterpillar Inc. have pledged staff for a city-wide tree-planting day on Friday, April 24, but more workers are needed.

“Twenty more in the morning and 10 more in the afternoon,” said Bethany Executive Pastor Ben Davidson. LTR also helps people with unmet needs like home repairs, insurance deductibles and other financial hardships.

LTR Funder's Forum members have pledged more than $850,000 in assistance, and meet monthly to consider more.

“Disaster case managers are available to meet in the evenings and weekends,” Wells said. “Please contact the LTR Center to discuss your recovery."

To help, call the volunteer hotline at (309) 573-2670. To get help, call LTR at (309) 696-6923.

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