A Barrington family is stepping up to mobilize friends and neighbors and help the victims of Sunday’s devastating tornadoes in Washington, Illinois, just east of Peoria. One person was killed, 120 others injured and hundreds of homes and businesses damaged by that tornado with winds of up to 190 mph and a path of destruction that stretched for more than 46 miles, according to the weather service. To help with the relief efforts, the Gadbois family of Barrington’s Fox Point neighborhood is collecting supplies for the victims and heading to Washington this Sunday to deliver donated items to those affected.
Kevin and Jan Gadbois have four teenage children at Barrington High School. The couple has lived in Barrington for the past 14 years but they both grew up in Macomb and feel a strong connection to downstate, Illinois.
When they saw the destruction from Sunday’s tornadoes, Jan says they decided to take action as a family. “These people lost so many homes. Whole neighborhoods are gone. They lost everything they know and it just struck something in all of us.”
Kevin sent a message to their neighbors in Fox Point yesterday requesting they bring supplies to the Gadbois home at 105 Old Mill Road, on the south side of Lake Cook, to add to the items they’re collecting to help these families in crisis.
“We feel blessed to live in a community that has a lot of resources and it’s nice to be able to give back to people who are affected in ways that, through no fault of their own, have changed their lives forever. To the extent that people in our community can witness that and help people heal, that’s a good thing.”
The Gadbois family has a van, a small SUV and a trailer which they plan to load up for their trip. And if they collect more supplies than they can carry, they’ll work on lining up a truck to help transport everything donated down to Washington.
Kevin says the needed items include:
Non-perishable food items
Bottled water
Large Garbage Bags
Toiletries
gloves, hats, mittens
clothes
Work Gloves
Cleaning supplies; bleach, buckets, sponges, mops, towels
Baby Formula
Infant care items
Diapers
Bedding
duct Tape
Toilet Paper
Paper Towels
Anything else you think will help.
Kevin also told his neighbors they could drop off money and they will shop for needed items or he suggested getting Wal Mart or VISA gift cards and they will deliver those to the the families.
Because they’ve received such a strong response, they have lined up these three different collection sites for donations:
You can deliver donations directly to their home at 105 Old Mill Road on the south side of Fox Point in Barrington.
The Lake Barrington Field House will be accepting donations through the end of the week.
Mia Sorella, a local boutique, will also be promoting the donation drive and will serve as a collection site. During the Village Wine Walk this Saturday they will collect cash donations. Everyone who donates will be eligible to win a $100 spa gift certificate.
If you’d like to offer your services to help their effort, you can sign up via this form and we’ll give your information directly to the Gadbois family.
