IMPORTANT UPDATE: The Bridge Church Volunteer & Command Center was closed on Wednesday, March 22. All those wishing to volunteer to assist with clean up work, fence building, chainsaw teams, etc. need to check in at the First Baptist Church in Clever. The Clever center will remain open on an indefinite basis.

Our appreciation to KTTS and Regions Bank for two additional live radio remotes today at the Regions Bank in Bolivar and the Regions Bank on South Glenstone in Springfield. We are very grateful for all you have done to assist Compassion Alliance in our efforts to reach out to the hurting people who have lost their homes in Southwest Missouri.

All those in Christian County needing assistance from FEMA: Please note that FEMA has now established an office at the Nixa Community Center and encourages everyone affected by the storm who needs their help to come by from 9 am to 7 pm, Monday through Saturday.

Farmers and others in Christian and Hickory counties may be eligible for disaster unemployment benefits. Disaster unemployment assistance is intended for individuals (such as farmers or other self-employed individuals) not eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits. Funds for this program are provided by the federal government and do not come from the state employer payroll taxes used to finance regular unemployment benefits. Individuals who need information regarding how to file a claim should call (800) 788-4002. Claims should be filed as soon as possible, but not later than April 18, 2006.

All the communities in Southwest Missouri have responded and partnered with us by donating time, money, supplies and other unprecedented ways. Our deepest gratitude for truly making this an Alliance of relief and compassion.

March 21, 2006

Compassion Alliance today began servicing Wright County’s Emergency Management Distribution Center. We are delighted to be able to assist this county in reaching out to those who lost their homes or had severe damage during the recent tornadoes.

March 20, 2006

FIELD DISTRIBUTION CENTER CHANGES

Beginning Tuesday, March 21, all people affected by the tornadoes and needing cleanup supplies and other products in the Billings area will need to pick up supplies at the First Baptist Church in Clever.

Also beginning Tuesday, March 21, people affected by the tornadoes in the Nixa area will need to pick up supplies and needed product items at Compassion Alliance, 1609 N. CC Highway, Nixa.

Rain has hampered some of the cleanup work; however, Compassion Alliance has been able to secure and deliver additional items needed by homeowners. We continue to provide supplies to six distribution sites and we are grateful for the donated products that have continued to come into our central distribution warehouse today. In order to fill the requests of the field distribution centers, additional items have been added to the list of products needed by Compassion Alliance. In addition to the items listed further below, we are urgently requesting:

These items are also needed along with the bulk items listed below:

March 18, 2006

More than 800 volunteers fanned out today in Christian, Hickory, Webster and Lawrence counties to help those who lost their homes in those areas. Throughout the day these volunteers worked tirelessly helping homeowners clean up. Various churches and individuals provided lunch meals for the volunteers and homeowners in several locations.
More than 100 non-cash donations were brought to Compassion Alliance; many of the products were items that were depleted in our warehouse, yet needed desperately by the homeowners and volunteers. These items were then immediately taken to the points of distribution and sent out to the disaster areas.

In addition to the items listed further below, the following items are also needed for the relief effort:

March 17, 2006

More than 300 volunteers were in the field today working with homeowners, helping to clean up debris and downed trees, as well as helping to secure property, tarp roofs and assist in a myriad of other ways. County officials are estimating between 500 and 800 volunteers will be assisting homeowners on Saturday. It is wonderful to see the community working together to meet the needs of those who were devastated by this storm.

The updated list of non-cash items needed as of today:

March 16, 2006

Compassion Alliance is expressing our thanks to the many organizations and individuals who have responded to the ongoing tornado relief. Please visit this page to see those who are partnering with us.

March 15, 2006

VOLUNTEER INFORMATION

If you are interested in volunteering for clean up and relief work, you will need to meet at The Bridge Church, located on Highway 14 across from People's Bank in Nixa, Missouri, at 9 am Monday through Saturday.

All volunteers must register with the Americorp representatives prior to reporting to work on location.

Volunteers will need the following:

Volunteers will be needed for an indefinite period; if you are unable to volunteer at this time, your help will be appreciated in the future.

The Volunteer Reception Center hotline will be in operation on Thursday, March 16. The direct line is 417-725-2753.

The Volunteer Reception Center is open from 9 am to 5 pm daily for an indefinite period of time.

NON-CASH DONATION NEEDS

Items needed at this time are:

• Household cleaning supplies (bleach, 409, cleaning wipes, sponges, dish soap, and other cleaning supplies)
• Storage containers (Rubbermaid-type tubs, giant Ziploc bags, 50 gal. trash cans)
• Tools (crow bars, rakes, flat shovels, brooms, wheel barrows)
• Personal Safety Items (leather work gloves, dust masks, hard hats, safety goggles)
• Large tarps – at least 20 ft or larger
• 10 ft x 100 ft. rolls 6 mil plastic sheeting
• Heavy duty, extra large trash bags
• Shelf stable food, such as canned goods and boxed items: NO PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS PLEASE!
• Personal care items (soap, shampoo, tooth brush and paste, bath towels, other hygiene products)
• Generators
• Flashlights and batteries
• Contractor lights and heavy-duty extension cords
• Chain saws with oil mix
• Gift cards (for groceries, clothing, restaurants, building supplies).
• NO CLOTHING!
• Items for Disaster Buckets also needed

Bring all items for tornado victims to Compassion Alliance headquarters, 1609 N. Hwy CC, in Nixa.

As of March 16, 2006, in addition to the CA headquarters, you may also drop off non-cash donations at Imo's Pizza locations: 600 South Pickwick and 626 West Republic Road in Springfield. Our thanks to Imo's for their great help.

CASH DONATIONS

Cash donations can be taken immediately by credit card online, or you can send your checks to Compassion Alliance, P.O. Box 989, Nixa, MO 65714. If you wish to designate your gift for the relief efforts in a certain county, please indicate that on your gift. (Counties where Compassion Alliance is responding with supplies and other assistance include Christian, Hickory, Lawrence and Webster.) All undesignated funds will be distributed according to county needs as they arise.

OTHER HELP

Community services are available for those affected by the storms at The Bridge Church from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Saturday. These include Red Cross services, insurance assistance, clergy counseling, and other personal services. For more information regarding the services that are available, please call 417-725-2753.