Organizers hosted cookout in Mt. Carmel to help tornado victims

MT. CARMEL, Ill. (WFIE) - On Friday, the community of Mount Carmel came together to enjoy good food and help families in need.

After an EF-2 tornado destroyed several homes in the area, a cookout was held to raise money for people who were uninsured.

[Previous Story: Mt. Carmel working to recover after severe storms]

The mayor of Mount Carmel announced that $6,500 was raised at Friday’s cookout.

The mayor tells 14 News that over a dozen homes in the county were destroyed and he knows of at least 13 people who did not have insurance.

With the help of Friday’s fundraiser, volunteers say it not only brought food and some much-needed smiles to the community, but helped out those families who need further assistance.

“We just appreciate everybody,” said Tony Hodgson, pastor at the Heartland Worship Center. “We have the city council, we have the fire department, police department and several volunteers here today trying to do what we can. Everyone who can possibly donate and help, send that to the ministerial alliance and it will go directly to the people.”

This fundraiser was hosted through the ministerial alliance, and the money raised will go to a program at a local non-profit – the Wabash Area Development.

Tornado victims who didn’t have insurance can visit the “WADI” building in town, show their Red Cross case number, and once they verify that they were not covered by insurance, then they can be eligible to receive funding.

Organizers of Friday’s event say to help, people can send monetary donations to Heartland Worship Center at 212 W Second Street, or to the ministerial alliance at PO Box 1053, Mt. Carmel, IL 62863.

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