AFSCME Members Rebuild after Tornadoes
by Kate Childs Graham | March 06, 2012
Tornado devastation in Harrisburg, Ill. (Photo by Randy Milligan)
In the wake of devastating tornadoes that ripped across the Midwest and South, AFSCME is pulling together to aid in clean-up and recovery efforts. The union this week committed $100,000 to its Fallen Heroes Fund, which provides immediate assistance and recovery funds to members hit hardest by such disasters.
The storms killed at least 39 people and damaged property in 10 states. Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio suffered the brunt of the storms, and our AFSCME members were among those who lost everything – loved ones, homes and possessions.
On Feb. 29, a tornado swept through Harrisburg, Ill., leaving the town and many AFSCME members devastated. Seven AFSCME families were among those who lost their homes. One AFSCME family had to be pulled from the debris and taken to the hospital. Another family huddled in the closet, only to find after the storm that two walls and the closet were all that was left of their home.
Randy Milligan, president of Local 779, has been on the ground each day since the tornado hit.
“Our members are kind of devastated,” he said. “One lost his [work] uniform and boots. I set up an account for him at a boot store. We hooked him up with a utility belt, too.”
To help with the financial burden, Milligan works the phones, reaching out to members, getting their disaster request forms filled out and sent to Council 31. Milligan reports that friends and family have been quick to take in those who lost their homes. Only a handful of people stayed at the shelter on the first night after the storm and none were there the second night.
Other locals have also stepped up to help. Local 1805 will deliver more than 200 pounds of hamburger meat to be served at a senior center providing free meals to victims. AFSCME members are volunteering with the clean-up as well.
Now is the time for our AFSCME family to pull together and give generously to AFSCME’s Fallen Heroes Fund. After Hurricane Irene devastated the Northeast last year, the fund aided more than 2,000 members. Now our sisters and brothers in the Midwest and South need us.
