Some Brown County businesses say they are collecting donations to help with recovery after an estimated EF-3 tornado devastated the Fox Cities July 27.
There was significant damage in the Fox Cities as the strong storm cell made its way through the area. Menasha, Neenah and Fox Crossing were the hardest-hit areas, and the storm affected public infrastructure, homes, businesses and utilities.
Menasha Mayor Austin Hammond declared a local state of disaster due to the widespread damage in the city. Neenah also declared a local state of emergency.
As cleanup and recovery start, the surrounding communities are jumping into action, including Brown County.
Volunteer Fox Cities
Volunteer Fox Cities, which is coordinating volunteer efforts, also opened a volunteer reception center and donation drop-off site at the former UW-Oshkosh Fox Cities campus in Menasha, 1478 Midway Road. Check the group’s webpage or Facebook page for hours.
Volunteer Fox Cities said clothing should not be donated to the Midway Road center; instead you can drop clothing off at Community Clothes Closet, 1465B Opportunity Way, or any Gunderson Cleaners locations in the Fox Valley. At 1:40 p.m. July 28, Volunteer Fox Cities said in a Facebook post enough water has been donated and asked individuals to stop donating water for the day.
The most needed donations July 28 are work gloves, easy reachers, safety glasses and hearing protection like ear plugs, the Facebook post said.
People interested in volunteering were asked to sign up for a standby list through GetConnected. Volunteer Fox Cities said standby volunteers will receive further instructions through GetConnected.
Winnebago County Emergency Management asked community members to sign up and wait for communication from Volunteer Fox Cities. “Please do not self-deploy or report to damaged areas,” the department said in a Facebook post.
The American Red Cross asked community members to refrain from donating until it announces what items are needed, Winnebago County Emergency Management said.
Here is a list of Brown County businesses gathering donations to support recovery efforts.
Budget Bins
Budget Bins LLC said in a Facebook post it will be filling a dumpster with supplies and delivering it to Menasha next week. The dumpster rental company said it will also accept monetary donations via Venmo.
Budget Bins asked for donations to be dropped off by appointment. Individuals can text or call 920-634-5534 or email binsbudget@gmail.com to set up an appointment. Budget Bins said it will be collecting donations at 7802 N Brown County Line Road in Pulaski.
Budget Bins listed toiletries, hygiene items, paper towels, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, work gloves, trash bags, tarps, bottled water, non-perishable food, baby supplies, blankets and new socks as needed items.
Tint Lab
The Tint Lab, 831 S. Broadway, has opened its store as a donation drop-off hub and team members are making daily trips to Menasha, the company said on Facebook. People wishing to donate were asked to comment on the post or message Tint Lab directly.
Tint Lab is accepting nonperishable foods, new or gently used clothing, toiletries, hygiene products, baby supplies, pet food and supplies, blankets, pillows and other essential items.
Foxy Pedaler Party Bike, Foxy Paddler Party Boat
Will Liebergen, owner and operator of the Foxy Pedaler Party Bike and Foxy Paddler Party Boat, is collecting large tarps and plywood to cover destroyed roofs and windows, he said in a Facebook post.
Liebergen said people can place tarps or plywood on pallets located outside North Broadway Storage unit 17, 1026 N. Broadway, and he will drive them down to Menasha nightly. Liebergen also owns North Broadway Storage.
Kunes RV of Green Bay
Kunes RV will be accepting donations July 28 through Aug. 1 at 1751 Wildwood Drive in Suamico. Donations will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 29 and 30, from 9 a.m. to 6 pm. July 31 and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 1.
Kunes RV said the most needed items are bottled water, nonperishable food, toiletries, diapers and baby wipes, cleaning supplies, work gloves, pet food and pet supplies. Donations can be brought to the front entrance.
Dairy-Air Brewing
Dairy-Air Brewing is collecting donations at its tap room, 217 S. Main St. in Seymour. Donations will be accepted from 3-9 p.m. July 29-30, 3-10 p.m. July 31, noon-10 p.m. Aug. 1 and from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Aug. 2.
Dairy-Air Brewing is collecting monetary donations, hygiene supplies, diapers and gift cards.
Sabrina’s Gift Baskets and Resale
Sabrina’s Gift Baskets and Resale, 2642 Packerland Drive, Ashwaubenon, is collecting donations at its store from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 29-31 and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug 1.
The company is accepting water, snacks, personal hygiene, blankets, gift cards and any other helpful supplies.
Door County Candle Company
The Door County Candle Company has added a Wisconsin Strong – Tornado Relief candle to its Support a Cause lineup. 100% of profits from the warm vanilla-scented candle will be donated to support disaster relief efforts.
Vivian Barrett is the public safety reporter for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. You can reach her at vmbarrett@usatodayco.com or (920) 431-8314.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Brown County businesses collect donations after Fox Cities tornado
Reporting by Vivian Barrett, Green Bay Press-Gazette / Green Bay Press-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Vivian Barrett, Green Bay Press-Gazette | USA TODAY Network
