Red Cross Murfreesboro relief update

Red Cross continues providing relief to local tornado victims following Friday's devastating tornado that carved a path through Murfreesboro. Volunteers are continually traveling through all affected communities to distribute water, meals, snacks, comfort kits and clean-up kits to tornado victims who working to pick up the pieces left of their homes. Since the tornado relief operation began, your American Red Cross has provided more than 2,000 meals, bottles of water and snacks as well as vital emotional support for victims by visiting communities affected by these storms and passing out these materials.

"We are working 24 hours a day trying to make sure we are meeting the needs of the community after this unthinkable disaster," said Red Cross CEO Greg King. "I have been so impressed by how the community has really stepped up to help the Red Cross during this time and hope that people will continue donating money to help with the Red Cross Disaster Relief Operation."

The Red Cross shelter remains open so that those who were affected can get a hot meal, a place to stay and pick up clean-up kits to help with the recovery efforts. The shelter is located at:

New Vision Baptist Church

1750 North Thompson Lane

Murfreesboro, TN 37129

How to help

You can help people affected by this disaster, by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific event, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Gifts enable the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of all disasters. Visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or mail donations to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

You can also donate to help the victims of the Murfreesboro tornadoes at any Middle Tennessee Kroger store at the register as you check out. Just tell the cashier you would like to make a donation to the Red Cross for the Central Tennessee tornadoes.

The Red Cross is not accepting any donations of clothing, furniture or any other material items. If you would like to volunteer, call the City of Murfreesboro at (615) 890-1934.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization -- not a government agency -- and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. For more information, visit www.redcross.org or the blog at www.redcrosschat.org.