Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, August 7, 1993 TAG: 9308070100
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Rockbridge and the city of Lexington "adopted" hard-hit Calhoun a week ago for a flood-relief effort. Having known a flood's devastation first hand, Rockbridge and Lexington officials arranged to collect and deliver goods to Calhoun.
Initial response to the relief effort has been good, said Don Austin, Rockbridge county administrator. Thursday's delivery was only the first. Officials haven't determined yet how long the relief effort will last, Austin said.
Calhoun County sits on a peninsula, surrounded on three sides by the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. Travel in and out has been limited to a narrow gravel road because ferries have been put out of service, highways flooded out and bridges cut off.
Most Calhoun residents work in the Alton, Ill., or St. Louis areas, both four to five hours away.
"Obviously, they've been devastated," Austin said. "That's why we had to get this trip together so quickly. We'll see how this goes, then maybe redirect our efforts to provide the best support we can."
The tractor-trailer was loaded with items that Calhoun residents said they needed - food, sheets, beds, mattresses, disinfectant.
Austin said he did not know how much in goods was collected. Money donations, however, have reached $2,200. Pledges from the Rockbridge and Lexington governments are expected to bring the money total to $10,000, Austin said.
Money donations have been used to purchase materials and supplies.
People can continue to donate goods at collection points established at the Rockbridge area Kmart, Food Lion, Kroger and Wal-Mart stores. Anyone wishing to drop items off at these locations should contact area volunteer fire departments for a collection schedule.
Anyone wishing to contribute money should make checks payable to "Calhoun County Illinois Flood Relief Fund" and send them to the Rockbridge County Administrator's Office, Attn: D.G. Austin, 150 S. Main St., Lexington, VA 24450.
For more information, contact the Rockbridge County administrator's office at (703) 463-9407.
by CNB