Red Cross eases pain from disastrous storm

By Staff
from staff reports
Dec. 27, 2002
The Key Chapter of the American Red Cross continues to help victims of the Dec. 19 tornadoes in East Mississippi at two service centers one in Newton County and the other in Lauderdale County.
The Newton County center is at 207 East Church St. in the First Baptist Church. The Lauderdale County center is at the Key Chapter of the American Red Cross, 1711 24th Ave. in Meridian.
Cheri Barry, executive director of the Key Chapter, said the service centers were established immediately after the tornadoes damaged the area.
The Red Cross has served more than 3,000 meals in Newton County and is now in the process of providing housing, providing clothing and meeting the basic and immediate needs for families there.
At least two corporate entities have come to the aid of the Key Chapter.
Wal-Mart gave $10,000 to the chapter the day after the tornado and Mississippi Power Co. is set to give $5,000 this morning to help with the Newton County relief efforts.
Barry said the Key Chapter has reached out to 121 families in Newton County and 25 families in Lauderdale County affected by the tornado.
AMERICAN RED CROSS
Anyone can help victims of disasters in the six-county area of the Key Chapter of the American Red Cross Clarke, Kemper, Lauderdale, Leake, Neshoba and Newton by contributing to the Disaster Relief Fund.
Disaster assistance: All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free and made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the public.
Cash donations: Financial donations to help the storm victims should be sent to the Key Chapter of the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 205, Meridian, MS, 30305.
More information: If you have any questions or would like more information, contact Cheri Barry at the Key Chapter of the American Red Cross at 485-5151.