Clark, Champaign counties respond to needs of areas devastated by tornadoes

James Coburn, of Coburn Concrete in New Carlisle, loads supplies on a trailer already carrying thousands of bottles of donated drinking water for the Dayton tornado victims Friday. Coburn said the flag on the back of his shirt reminds him that we’re all Americans and we should help each other. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

James Coburn, of Coburn Concrete in New Carlisle, loads supplies on a trailer already carrying thousands of bottles of donated drinking water for the Dayton tornado victims Friday. Coburn said the flag on the back of his shirt reminds him that we’re all Americans and we should help each other. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

The Clark and Champaign County community continue to rally to help aid those who were impacted by the devastating 14 tornadoes that hit the region this week.

Also, Springfield native John Legend made a significant donation to help relief efforts.

“Donating to the food bank and a few other organizations helping to support my home state in the aftermath of tornadoes,” Legend said in a tweet Friday. “Please join me if you can.”

The tornadoes ranging from EF-0 to -EF-4 spared Clark and Champaign counties.

Schools, business, churches and government agencies in Clark and Champaign counties are collecting supplies to send to areas devastated by the tornadoes including hard-hit communities in Beavercreek, Celina, Dayton and Harrison Twp. and Trotwood. They include Tecumseh Local Schools. the Springfield Twp. Fire Department, Coburn’s Concrete in New Carlisle, JLC Community Outreach Gathering and Greater Grace Temple and Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

That’s on top of the Springfield Interfaith Hospitality Network sending seven volunteers to the region, the Chamber of Greater Springfield collecting supplies to send to Dayton and the Urbana Fire Division providing mutual aid to the area.

Tecumseh Local Schools will begin gathering donations Saturday morning, according to a Facebook post announcing the supply drive.

"We have been in communication with the Brookville Fire Department," the post says. "They indicate the items they need the most right now include: toilet paper, paper towels, plastic eating utensils, duct tape, baby bottles, baby formula, baby wipes, band-aids, and laundry detergent. We will have a truck available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday in the parking lot at Tecumseh High School for folks to drop off any of these items."

The school will also have a spot to drop off donations at the Nutter Center during the school’s graduation Sunday.
“We will deliver the truck following graduation,” the post says.
Springfield Twp. Fire Department says they are helping relief efforts in the Dayton area.

“The Springfield Township Fire Department provided the use of equipment and personnel to those surrounding areas hit with the recent tornadoes,” a press release says. “The equipment helped with recovery and safety efforts. Trustee President Tim Foley stated that this is an example of local governments coming together in times of an emergency for the betterment of the overall community.”

Clark County Spokesman Michael Cooper said other fire departments throughout the county are also sending mutual aid as well including five tanker trucks.

The JLC Community Outreach Gathering and Greater Grace Temple and Mt. Zion Baptist Church are partnering together to help the tornado victims.

Starting Sunday and until Thursday, June 6, the organizations will be collecting water, diapers, personal hygiene items, hand sanitizer and non-perishable items at 380 West Leffel Lane. The items will be delivered on Friday, June 7.

Anyone with questions can call 937-460-1888.

Coburn’s Concrete in New Carlisle collected donations and was expected to deliver the supplies to Northridge in Montgomery County Friday evening.

Also a popular mall in Beavercreek where many local residents go shopping reopened Friday morning. The Fairfield Commons Mall in Beavercreek had been closed since the tornadoes hit because of power outages, but power was restored.

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