Last week Lake County was hit with torrential rains — two July’s worth — in one afternoon. The result has been record flooding not seen for years. Help is now needed all over the county for the cleanup and re-building to begin. Here are several ways to help and local locations that can use your donations.
Give blood
LifeSource has issued an emergency appeal for blood donations of all types. The Grayslake Area Library will be hosting a blood drive on July 18, 1-7 p.m. All donors will receive a pint of Culver’s ice cream and a tote bag.
Give books
The Round Lake Area was hit very hard by the floods and WJ Murphy Elementary School lost its entire library. The school is in desperate need of books for children in first through fifth grades. Books can be dropped off (or sent through Amazon) to Round Lake CCSD 116 District Office, 884 W. Nippersink Rd, Round Lake, IL 60073.
Ingelside Girl Scouts Troop 40182 is also collecting books. Contact Kristie Bippong at cdippong@yahoo.com to arrange a pickup or drop-off.
Finally, books can be dropped off at the Village of Round Lake Park administrative office, 884 W. Nippersink Rd., Round Lake. Contact Lori Placek lplacek@rlas-116.org for more information.
Give food
Many families lost everything and will need to restock. The following food pantries are collecting both gift cards and food:
Fremont Township, 22385 W. Route 60, Mundelein
Avon Township, 433 E. Washington St., Round Lake Park
Give household items
Household items and clothing in good condition are needed. Donations to the Salvation Army can be allocated for Lake County Flood victims when you drop off. Just tell them that it’s for flood victims when dropping off at Lake County Centers. They are providing them to residents free of charge. Locations are in Mundelein, Gurnee and Waukegan.
The American Red Cross has also opened shelters at two locations:
Magee Middle School, 500 N. Cedar Lake, Round Lake Beach and The Chapel in Grayslake, 25270 IL-60, Grayslake. They are collecting clothing, toiletries and clean-up products, as well as facilitating the donation of larger items. Call the flood hotline at 847-220-7495 for current needs and availability for drop-off.
Donations of clean clothes (all sizes), non-perishable food items and bottled water, are being collected at Avon Center School (1617 N. Rt. 83, Round Lake Beach) from 8 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. on July 17.
Avon Township is in desperate need of the following supplies: Cleaning supplies (bleach, garbage bags, paper towels, etc.), diapers (all sizes), home basics (toilet paper, toothpaste, baby wipes, etc.) and home goods (blankets, towels, bed sheets, etc.) The center is located at 433 E. Washington St., Round Lake Park. Call 847-546-9409 to make drop-off arrangements.
As the flood waters start to recede the need will only become greater as people get a full grasp on the items lost.
