Area residents, businesses, churches and schools are pulling together this week to organize collection drives to benefit the victims of the deadly tornados that ripped through Kentucky, and several other states, over the weekend.
• West Liberty-Salem Schools is inviting community members to stop by the school from 4 to 6 p.m. today, Wednesday, Dec. 15, with the following suggested donation items: water, diapers, baby formula, feminine hygiene products, socks/underwear. Students were also invited to take items with them to school through today. This collection drive is organized by the student council to help those in need in Kentucky.
• Scott Stewart and his sons, Ryan, and Zach, are conducting a collection drop-off point at the Logan County Fairgrounds from 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16. They will be hauling donations to Kentucky this weekend, and are requesting the following items: personal hygiene items, canned goods, winter boots and coats in good condition, band-aids and other medical supplies, pet food and Wal-Mart gift cards in $10 and $20 increments. Outside of this collection time, items also can be delivered to Stewart at Riverbirch Farms, 2267 County Road 23, Quincy. He can be reached at (937) 407-6766.
• The Bellefontaine Post Office, 132 S. Detroit St., is hosting a collection box in its lobby. Donations can be dropped off during regular hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Suggested items for the collection includes: non-perishable food items, baby formula, heating supplies such as propane or kerosene and Christmas gift items for children. The city post office is collaborating with several other area post offices in this effort, and will be transporting the items to Kentucky via semi in the near future.
• The Bellefontaine Examiner, 127 E. Chillicothe Ave., in conjunction with the West Liberty First Church of God, 315 Liberty St., West Liberty, and Shine FM Ohio, 325 N. Hayes St., Bellefontaine, are collecting relief supplies through Thursday, Dec. 16. The Examiner, open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Items may be dropped off any time at Shine FM and placed inside the moving truck in their parking lot. Donations may also be dropped off under the awning behind WLFCOG through Thursday.