This browser does not support the Video element.
How Georgians are supporting victims of deadly tornados
Today American Red Cross Specialists headed to Kentucky. Volunteers say the best way to help is to give financially.
ATLANTA - Georgians have been moved by images of devastation from weekend tornadoes in Kentucky and areas of the south and Midwest where 24 tornadoes touched down.
Atlanta's FEMA office is providing support to thousands by preparing equipment and resources to send to the area.
Today, At least three Red Cross specialists from Georgia went to Kentucky.
TORNADO RELIEF: HOW TO HELP VICTIMS IN KENTUCKY, OTHER STATES
Here are ways to support tornado victims in Kentucky and other devastated areas:
What's the best way to help?
Volunteers with Georgia Red Cross say the best way to help is to give financially.
Giving funds eliminates redundancy and cuts out some time volunteers spend sorting times, like old clothes.
"That becomes another disaster, trying to get people to that location," Ann Burkly, Georgia Red Cross Volunteer said.
Kennesaw Blanket Drive
New and unused blankets will be collected from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19 at the Kennesaw First Baptist Church located at 2958 N. Main Street. The drive is a joint effort by the Kennesaw Police Department, the Kennesaw Police Explorer Post #1887, Kennesaw First Baptist Church, Kennesaw Business Association, North Cobb Rotary Club, and the Community Incident Response Foundation.
Paulding County
Several Paulding County organizations are hosting drop-off locations for a variety of items to ship to Kentucky.
The Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, the Paulding County Fire Department, the Paulding County Board of Commissioners, the Paulding County School District, North Georgia Fellowship of Christian Athletes and multiple local businesses and churches need:
- nonperishable food items
- boxed food
- paper products (toilet paper, paper towels, paper plates, utensils, and cups)
- cases/gallons of water
- tarps
- blankets (new)
- batteries (AA, and C)
- small propane bottles
- baby items: wipes, diapers, formula
- feminine hygiene products
- toiletries
- pet food
- trash bags
Drop off locations for donations are at:
- Paulding County Schools
- Paulding County Sheriff’s Office
- Paulding County Fire Stations
- Mt. Tabor Park
- Taylor Farm Park
- Burnt Hickory Park
- Dallas Public Library
- Maude P. Ragsdale Public Library (Hiram)
- Crossroads Public Library (Bentwater)
- New Georgia Public Library
Donations at schools are due by Friday.
Floyd County Sheriff's Office
The Floyd County Sheriff’s Office plans to assist Mayfield, Kentucky, residents on Jan. 3.
The sheriff's office is accepting donations of the following items: Socks, undergarments, blankets, coats, warm clothing, shoes, utility gloves, gas generators, flashlights, headlamp lights, batteries, phone chargers, gas cans, paper towels, plastic utensils, paper plates, feminine hygiene products, baby formula, diapers, toiletries, bottled water, non-perishable food, pet food, tarps, children toys, stuffed animals, backpacks, juice boxes, small packs of candy, Christmas candy, miscellaneous items to give to children.
FCSO is also accepting checks, cash and monetary donations online at the Floyd County Jail (2526 New Calhoun Highway).
The drop-off locations below are open Wednesday, Dec. 15 to Dec. 17 and Dec. 20 to 22 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.:
- North Rome Church of God; 1929 N Broad St, Rome, GA 30161
- Pleasant Valley North; 735 Old Summerville Rd, Rome, GA 30165
- Pleasant Valley South; 702 Pleasant Valley Rd, Silver Creek, GA 30173
- JWH Transport; 300 Booze Mountain Rd, Lindale, GA 30147
- Polk County Sheriff’s Office; 1676 Rockmart Hwy, Cedartown, GA 30125
- Polk County Sheriff’s Precinct; 316 N Piedmont Ave, Rockmart, GA 30153
Cherokee County
A north Georgia business with ties to Kentucky are sending supplies to devastated areas.
Colton Vanmeter, general manager of Cherokee Seed & Feed, said he is from the Bowling Green area. He plans to collect supplies and load them onto trucks at the Ball Ground, North Fulton and Gainesville locations:
- 2370 Hightower Road (Hwy. 369), Ball Ground
- 869 Grove Street, Gainesville
They're looking for non-perishable food, winter clothes, blankets, toys, batteries, flashlights and monetary donations.
Donations will be accepted until noon on Dec. 16, so the trucks can be ready to leave for Bowling Green, Kentucky, on Friday.
Georgia FEMA
FEMA will send equipment and resources such as blankets, meals, bottled water and tarps.
FEMA asks to confirm items are needed before donating them.
People can donate to the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund.
FEMA says financial donations to recognized disaster relief organizations are the fastest, most flexible and most effective method of donating. Organizations on the ground know what items and quantities are needed, often buy in bulk with discounts and, if possible, purchase through businesses local to the disaster, which supports economic recovery.
Georgia Red Cross
The Red Cross says tornado victims are in need of financial aid and blood.
Visit redcross.org or call 800-RED CROSS to make a donation or schedule an appointment to give blood or platelets.
If you have additional information on donations, drop-off sites or ways to help, email newstipsatlanta@fox.com.
WATCH: FOX 5 NEWS LIVE COVERAGE
This browser does not support the Video element.