Southeast Michigan residents can aid Joplin tornado victims

Oakland County 51st District Court Judge Jodi Debbrecht and Main Street Oakland County Program Coordinator Bob Donohue announced Tuesday how residents of southeast Michigan can help families who are victims of the deadly tornado that devastated Joplin, Missouri. "I grew up in Missouri and we took our family vacations in the Joplin area," said Debbrecht. "When I saw the images of the damage there and heard the words of the survivors, I was overcome with emotion--I felt I had to help. So, I called Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson and he put me in touch with his Main Street Oakland County program." Communities in the Main Street Oakland County program will host collection points for approximately two weeks for the following supplies: --Portable power generators. --Heavy duty extension cords (all sizes). --Construction lighting. --Electric fans (all sizes). --Wheelbarrows. --Garden rakes and shovels. --New or used power tools (circular saws, drills, chop saws, miter saws, nail guns, etc.). --Dust masks, work gloves and eye safety goggles. --Construction safety grade hard hats. --Contractor grade garbage bags. --Plastic storage containers (all sizes). --Tarps and bungee cords. --Ropes (all sizes). --Pet food. --Children's books. "This list of needs comes straight from Joplin's mayor, Mike Woolston," said Donohue. "We know Joplin--a former Main Street community itself--needs these supplies and will put them to good use in order to help its residents and businesses recover." The collection points are located in the following Main Street Oakland County communities. The addresses are: * Farmington Public Services, 33720 Nine Mile. * Ferndale - Simply Self Storage, 181 West Marshall. * Franklin Village Hall, 32325 Franklin Road. * Highland Fire Station No. 1, 250 West Livingston Road. * Holly DPW, 201 Elm Street. * Lake Orion DDA, 51 North Broadway. * Ortonville DPW, 159 Cedar. * Oxford DDA, 22 West Burdick. * Rochester DPW, 1141 North Wilcox. * Walled Lake DPW, 718 North Pontiac Trail. * Oakland County Government, 1 Public Works Drive, Building 95 West, Waterford. Woolston told Donohue they do not need any donations of water because they have already received more water than they need. But Mayor Woolston did emphasize that what they need most is money. "We're benefitting from tremendous generosity from people all over the country," Woolston told Donohue. "But if people can give cash, that's the best way to help us right now." Monetary donations may be made to "Jodi Helps Joplin" at the Oakland County Credit Union, 1375 North Oakland Boulevard, Waterford, 48327. Oakland County Credit Union President & CEO Allan McMorris made the first donation of $1,000 Tuesday on behalf of the credit union. All donations will go directly to help with the recovery of the Joplin tornado victims. Donations are not tax deductible. For more information, go to www.JodiHelpsJoplin.com or follow the effort on Twitter @JodiHelpsJoplin. This is not the first time Main Street Oakland County has assisted other communities confronting a natural disaster. Donohue organized a relief convoy for Hattiesburg, Mississippi--another Main Street community--after Hurricane Katrina. He and Debbrecht, who still has family in Missouri, will lead the convoy to Joplin, Missouri. Mayor Woolston has asked for supplies donated by southeast Michigan to arrive on June 17. Published: Thu, Jun 2, 2011

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