Red Cross of Central Illinois sends volunteers to South Carolina

Posted on October 6, 2015

By Joe Ragusa

CHARLESTON, S.C. – At least 17 people have died in North and South Carolina due to massive flooding after heavy downpours hit the east coast.

Trish Burnett with the Red Cross said volunteers from central Illinois are helping with the relief effort.

“It’s a long road to recovery and there’s a lot of need here right now,” Burnett said. “We’re doing our best to provide shelter, food, cleanup supplies and really comfort, that’s really important right now, too.”

Nine people from central Illinois are in South Carolina and Burnett told WJBC’s Terry James that more people will rotate in and out as the relief effort progresses.

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley says the extent of the damage in the state is “disturbing.” Officials are anticipating billions of dollars in damage.

Joe Ragusa can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…