St. Louis' Business Community Offering Relief

It appears that St. Louisans have big hearts and are stepping up to this Good Friday tragedy to help those in the surrounding communities. The North St. Louis and St. Charles counties, along with the east side of Bethalto, Granite City, Triad and Highland, Illinois communities suffered storm damage in the millions.

The storm that ravaged the area Friday night, April 23, has displaced thousands of residents. Ameren is still struggling to turn on the power on both sides of the river, and continuous rain is forcing many major rivers and streams out of their banks.

On Saturday, the St. Louis Cardinals pledged $30,000 to the American Red Cross. Financial advisor Wells Fargo contributed $100,000 to the United Way of Greater St. Louis, and Peabody Energy delivered a check for $275,000 for American Red Cross Relief efforts. The money raised will help families immediately displaced by the storm.

Hazelwood Patch has been out on the scene in the areas affected on Friday, and it appears that entire subdivisions and neighborhoods were destroyed in Maryland Heights, Bridgeton, St. Ann, Kinloch, Berkeley, Ferguson, Moline Acres, Bellefontaine neighbors and Riverview Gardens in Missouri. Thousands of homes are presently destroyed or uninhabitable.

On this website, you will find numerous ways you can donate your time or money to help those directly affected by the storm. Ironically, tornadoes that did so much destruction followed almost an identical path that it traveled back in the spring of'67, which is the last known time a storm of this magnitude has hit St, Louis city and county.

To reach the American Red Cross, call 314-516-2800 or go to their website www.redcrossstl.org. Catholic Charities of the Arichiocese of St. Louis is accepting donations for storm victims. They can use household items, personal hygiene care items, blankets, bedding and nonperishable foods. Goods can be dropped off at 4532 Lindell Blvd.