Nannies giving back to Tornado Victims in Springfield and Raleigh-Durham

On Tuesday I shared with you tips on dealing with disasters and emergencies. Today I share with you stories from two nannies that have recently gone through experiences with their areas being affected by tornadoes.  Regarding Nannies reader, April, approached us about featuring both of these nannies because she was moved with the efforts they were doing to help rebuild their communities.

The first story is from Tracy Chipps. who lives in the Triangle area of North Carolina.   The second story is from Bridget Glasheen of Springfield Massachusetts. Both had tornadoes come through their area. They each share their story and what they are doing to help those affected.  Many of us live far from these places but there are simple ways you can help them rebuild their areas. I challenge everyone to give in some fashion. I am personally collecting coupons and sending them off. I have found so many online that it is simple to just click and print. If you can not volunteer, donate items or financial assistance, consider clipping coupons or printing coupons and sending them to either of them so that they can use the coupons to purchase items or pass out the coupons to those that need them. The diaper, formula,trash bags, toilet paper, cleaning supplies and  paper towels etc coupons are in great demand.  You could also have your charges and friends go through their “stuffed animal” collections and gather up some to mail off to the children who lost their toys in the tornado.   Hold a book collection for gently used books and mail them off media mail. Clean out your cabinets of all the “trial” samples from hotels and other places. Create a gallon size “bathroom” pack for folks.   One child in Texas held a lemonade stand sale and raised monies for the tornado victims of Joplin Missouri. Gather your nanny group or agency to do a “drive” for change or other items. There are so many “financial” ways you can assist those in the areas that have been effected by these horrible tornadoes this year that will cost very little to nothing at all.  Please share your ideas here as well so others can see what you are doing.

Triangle Area, North Carolina Tornado April 18, 2011

My name is Tracey Chipps and I live in the Triangle Area of North Carolina. This area includes Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill.

I have been a Professional Nanny for 16 years. I am currently not in a contract and will begin interviewing for a new position soon. Its an exciting time!

I became involved in the tornado relief efforts simply by answering the call of our local media to reach out to our NC neighbors. It was heartbreaking to see the people in our area struggling for basic supplies and housing. I have been asking TANG Nannies, friends and neighbors to donate gently used or new items of all kinds. Many people were left homeless after the tornado hit Raleigh in April. My goal is to “fill-up a pick-up”.

Imagine waking up with the realization that the only physical items you own are the clothes on your back. No bed, no pillow…no bedroom! No coffee maker, no stove, no cookware…no kitchen! No change of clothing, no hygiene supplies, no towels, .no bathroom. None of the comforts of home you had before. Everything stripped from your life including your automobile. In some cases, people lost their children and other loved ones.

If others would like to help our NC Tornado victims there are a number of organizations who can take donations.

• The Salvation Army of Wake County
• Centro International de Raleigh
• The Inter-Faith Food Shuttle
• http://www.helpinghandmission.org/

The Wake County Long Term Recovery Team is helping to appropriately distribute donations. To learn how to donate to these organizations simply visit www.riseupraleigh.com

You may also visit www.wral.com and type “tornado recover” or “tornado victims” into the search bar to get updated news stories.

My home was not in the tornadoes path but we did get fierce winds in our area. I was actually driving in Raleigh to work for a family when the tornado came through. I was able to dodge sheet metal and other materials in the road and head safely AWAY from the storm and make it to my destination. It was a relief to hear from TANG (Triangle Area Nanny Group) Nannies to know that everyone was safe. One of my former employers took refuge in a closet with her 4yr old and two dogs. They were spared from harms way but the streets on both sides of them suffered tremendous damage.

Springfield Area, Massachusetts Tornado June 1, 2011

My name is Bridget Glasheen and I live in Springfield Massachusetts. I am a nanny in nearby Connecticut for three kids.

With my city being one of the hardest hit by the three tornadoes, which were a F3 and 2 F2’s, I just couldn’t sit back and do nothing. I had to do something. So I  put a call to action on Facebook for my family and friends to send me donations. Before I knew it I was driving around to 3 different cities picking up donations. I ended up dropping off 8 bags this week. I am now making my house a drop off point. The area where the tornado hit the hardest is in the poor part of town. It is mostly Russian immigrants. They don’t have renters insurance and lost everything. I had a chance to walk around in that part of town Thursday night and I brought a bag of bottled water and handed them out to the relief workers and anyone who looked like they needed one. The images are horrific. People are just walking around in a daze.

I am collecting anything and everything and dropping them off at area churches and shelters. I am hoping to set up an Amazon Wish List so that people can go there and just click and order items. They will be sent directly to me and I will distribute  the items to the various places here. Some of the things that they are in need of are hygiene items for males, females and children. Diapers, wipes, formula, bottles, cups etc for children and infants especially.  Bug Spray, Sunscreen, antibacterial ointments, first aid items, hats, bandannas and items to keep cool while doing the cleanup are needed as well.

If you would like to help those in the Springfield area:

• You can text TSAMA10 to 85944 to make a $10 donation to The Salvation Army
• Donate directly to the American Red Cross Pioneer Valley Chapter 506 Cottage
• ABC 40/FOX 6 Listing of Donation/Volunteer Sites
• This Saturday June 11 Jimmy Hat is playing at Headquarters Bar in Agawam, MA! NO COVER! All proceeds to benefit tornado relief efforts in Monson, MA! Raffle prizes include Red Sox, Rascall Flatts and Brad Paisley tickets! Donations welcome! 9pm-2am
• If you would like to send items you can send them to me Please contact Regarding Nannies and they will get you in touch with me for the address. I will hopefully have a Wish List on Amazon shortly to share with you.

If the path of the tornado took the slightest turn our house would have been gone. All the damage happened less than a mile away from our neighborhood. This is why I am trying to get as much help as possible for those that were affected.