PHOTOS: Typhoon Haiyan slams Philippines
TYPHOON RELIEF:
Donate to Red Cross
Donate to Salvation Army
Donate to Philippine Consulate General, Chicago
The North Side effort started small but has grown. There is still time to donate until Wednesday night.
Typhoon relief donations should be dropped off at:
Rizal Center Chicago
1332 W. Irving Park Road (by Clark St)
Chicago, Illinois 60613
Phone (773) 281-1210
When organizers began collecting items Monday afternoon, all of the donations fit on a table in the lobby of the Rizal Center on the city's North Side. One day later, donations filled the entire building, spilling out onto the street.
At its peak, off-duty Chicago police officers helped to direct traffic, which stretched all the way down to Lake Shore Drive from Clark Street.
The organizers are requesting first aid kits, shoes, flashlights and canned goods for typhoon victims. There also is a special need for baby clothes and tents.
The boxes are being packed and sealed and loaded on to a cargo plane headed to the hardest-hit areas in the Philippines. Volunteers will be working with the American Red Cross to distribute the donations on the ground.
The Rizal Center was scheduled to collect items until 8 p.m. Wednesday. Organizers released the following information about specific items needed and what those wanting to help should not bring:
1.) DO NOT PACK NOODLES, RICE OR ANYTHING THAT NEEDS WATER. There is no water and electricity. Stick to bread, canned goods that are ready-to-eat and can be opened WITHOUT THE NEED FOR A CAN OPENER.
2.) PACK MEDICINE - Most especially basic medicine (cough syrup, etc.). Also if possible, include medicine for surface wounds as many have been wounded because of the debris and fallen rooftops.
3.) PACK CANDLES AND MATCHES - There will be no electricity for a minimum of two months.
4.) ENCOURAGE YOUR RESPECTIVE GROUP/ORGANIZATION TO DONATE BODYBAGS. Victims bodies are lying around, and space is running out.
