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Governor Quinn Delivers Supplies to Help Tornado Recovery in Brookport


Portion of Donated Items for Philippine Relief Will Help Hundreds in Southern Illinois Who Lost Homes, Possessions in Storm

BROOKPORT–(ENEWSPF)–November 25, 2013.  Governor Pat Quinn today announced the delivery of nearly 300 pallets of donated supplies to help people in Brookport recover from the deadly tornado that damaged or destroyed more than 150 homes. Prior to the Nov. 17 tornadoes, the supplies were originally collected to provide assistance for people who were devastated by Typhoon Haiyan, but the Rizal Center has not yet been able to transport the goods to the Philippines.

Over the weekend, Governor Quinn stepped in and worked with the Help for Haiyan relief effort and Rizal Center to send a portion of the donated supplies directly to Brookport to aid residents recovering from the deadly storms. Today the state of Illinois loaded and delivered nearly 300 pallets to Brookport.

“Illinois is a community of shared values and we will always help our neighbors when they’re in need,” Governor Quinn said. “Now that we have an emergency situation here at home, these supplies will immediately aid those who need it the most.”

The items, which include 10,000 pounds of water, and 50,000 pounds of non-perishable food items, medical supplies and more, had been stored at the Rizal Center’s Fellowship Hall in Chicago while transportation options to the Philippines were pursued. On Nov. 15, the governor submitted a request to federal officials for permission to use the Illinois National Guard to send the aid to the Philippines. The tornadoes hit Illinois on Nov. 17.

“We appreciate what Governor Quinn is doing to move donated supplies to people in need,” Rose Tibayan, co-organizer of the Help for Haiyan relief effort, said. “We have been unable to move all of our donations overseas, so we are grateful for this opportunity to work with our Governor to help families in our home state.”

Governor Quinn also announced the opening of a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) in Brookport to make it easier for people affected by the tornadoes to access disaster-related relief services and information. The MARC, which will be open today and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 306 Crockett (behind the Elementary School), will bring together representatives from several local and state agencies in one location.

The Governor is committed to helping communities across Illinois recover following the Nov. 17 storms. For more information about disaster recovery resources, including shelters and ways to help tornado survivors, visit Ready.illinois.gov.

Source: illinois.gov

 


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