GLENVILLE – Victims of the May 1 tornado continue to seek help from the American Red Cross even though the Glenville service center has been closed, chapter manager Ann Pribyl said.

Wednesday, May 09, 2001

GLENVILLE – Victims of the May 1 tornado continue to seek help from the American Red Cross even though the Glenville service center has been closed, chapter manager Ann Pribyl said.

"We’re still getting phone calls from people who are just beginning to realize damage and needs a week later," Pribyl said. "So many people have been focused on helping their neighbors they forgot to worry about themselves."

It’s very important to report any damage, no matter how minor, to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) so the government can get a more accurate picture of damage, Pribyl said.

"It all affects the federal relief the area might be eligible for. It’s very important, and I’m still giving that message to a lot of callers," Pribyl said.

After two extensive canvasses of Freeborn County and an effort to provide some of the immediate needs of tornado victims, Red Cross workers are turning to casework as more families find permanent housing, Pribyl said. Family service and mental health professionals are available to help with the more lasting consequences of the disaster.

"The work we’ll be doing now won’t be as visible – casework, referrals, followups and perhaps some help with cleanup expenses," she said. "We want to emphasize that we’re still available and ready to help. We’ve simply shifted our operations back to our headquarters in Albert Lea."

During the first week of disaster relief, Pribyl said the Freeborn County chapter teamed with the Mason City, Iowa, chapter to help about 20 families into hotels for temporary lodging and provided clothing, groceries, linens, medical supplies, cleaning kits and other assistance to hundreds of people.

About 40 Red Cross volunteers helped feed more than 2,500 people in Glenville last week, Pribyl said. Several local businesses donated food and supplies, including Rainbow, Hy-Vee Food Store, Trails Travel Center, Wendy’s, the Steer Restaurant in Austin and the Glenville-Emmons School District.

"It was truly heartwarming to see the response," Pribyl said. "So many people from the community of Glenville helped us. We could never thank them all."

The Red Cross is accepting monetary donations to continue the relief effort. Checks must be made payable to the Freeborn County Red Cross with a memo to disaster relief in order to keep donations in the county, Pribyl said.

For more information, to report damage or to seek disaster assistance, call the Red Cross’ 24-hour help line at (507) 373-4544.