Thanks to the help of 57 volunteers, four staff members and a number of local business and friends, the Mower County Chapter of the American Red Cross was able to service the victims of last week’s tornado and the cleanup crews, utility and relief workers.

In all, the Red Cross served 467 meals, 1,456 snacks and countless bottles of water, and provided lodging for one family who had significant damage to their home.

Welfare inquiries were also conducted by volunteers and staff.

The Red Cross works closely with other local service organizations, including the Salvation Army, who assembled sandwiches and served meals from their canteen. They worked with the United Way, who organized volunteer cleanup crews.

Throughout the year, the Red Cross recruits and trains volunteers for disasters so that when one does occur, their response is quick and seamless.

Donors who made relief efforts possible included: Freedom gas station, Home Depot, Hy-Vee, Kwik Trip, McDonald’s, Target, Usem’s and Wal-Mart.