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As support for the flood relief continues to pour in from across the country, a disaster logistics team has been assembled to organize efforts and maximize efficiency.
Hardship and heart warmth are words that only begin to describe the past few days in the Keweenaw Peninsula. Road crews have months of work ahead of them, but the residents themselves are also in need of assistance.
Dee Stadium has been designated as a central hub for food and supplies before being distribute to clean up sites.
Volunteer Carol Korpelasaid, “We are collecting all of the donations from all the generous community members and businesses and the volunteers who are sent through the volunteer resource center are coming here to pick up those supplies to get them to where they’re needed.”
Many homes and basements are in need of cleaning from the weekend’s floods and the level of support so far is overwhelming. More volunteers are needed and food donations to feed them.
Korpela said, “The one thing that I think we’re really seeing a need for is the cleanup tools and protection wear–eye safety glasses, work gloves, rubber boots, shovels. We need shovels, especially short handled shovels, snackables for the volunteers to eat while they are working hard”
But before delivering, officials ask that you contact the Volunteer Resource Center. This will ensure that all non-monetary donations are collaborated to avoid overages and shortages of necessary supplies.
Area grocery stores have also stepped up to the plate and shown their support for the community.
Walmart manager Jari Sague said, ‘We were able to get an emergency order of water and a couple of palettes of dehumidifiers into our store. We got that late Monday night/ early Tuesday morning, we were able to get that in and then I came here for this meeting with Lieutenant Roberts and our Disaster Logistics Team to see what else the community needs so we can help on a bigger scale. Now that I have a good sized list, we can work with corporate and get some bigger things coming this way in the near future.’
In addition to goods, Walmart employees are also pitching in. Sague said, “We have a number of associates that are helping on their days off. I really appreciate them and everything that they do. Community is such a big part of Walmart and our associates and management team are really embodying that with the Copper Country here, so I appreciate that.”
The National Guard is sending a convoy of troops and heavy equipment that will contribute. Michigan Tech has provided nearly 150 dorm rooms for volunteers who have come from out of the area and several other large corporations are also sending teams.
Korpela said, “I was at a site yesterday where they were working at one of those cleanup sites and I saw the devastation first hand, so if you have an opportunity to volunteer or to donate, every bit of help is appreciated.”
A big item of need still is money. Donations of that nature can be made at phfgive.org.
