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While local REALTOR® associations work with community leaders to find the best ways to help this week’s tornado victims in communities like Coal City, Sublette and Mendota, IAR members and non-members can also contribute to the Illinois REALTORS® Relief Foundation (IRRF).

According to the National Weather Service, nine tornadoes hit northern Illinois communities as storms raked across the state Monday evening and early Tuesday morning.  Numerous minor injuries and power outages were reported, but no deaths. The largest tornado was an EF-3 in Coal City (Grundy County) with winds of 136 to 165 miles per hour, reported ABC-7 Eyewitness News. An EF-2 tornado struck a campground in Sublette (Lee County) causing extensive damage, while an EF-1 hit south of Mendota (LaSalle County).  On Tuesday, Governor Bruce Rauner declared Grundy and Lee counties as disaster areas.

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TRAR members helping in Coal City area

Three Rivers Association of REALTORS® Chief Executive Officer David McClintock says individual members of the local association have already volunteered during Coal City clean-up efforts. Coal City resident and REALTOR® Andy Cook of Coldwell Banker Honig-Bell in Morris told McClintock the expected number of volunteers for Friday will be “significant.” REALTOR® Debbie Bell of Baird & Warner in Plainfield spent a day helping a Morris attorney whose house took on water. McClintock adds that he will deliver a donation to the Community Foundation of Grundy County on behalf of TRAR for $1,000 today.

“Later next week, we will consider other forms of gifts based on a report from our members of what’s still needed,” says McClintock.

As more information on local tornado relief efforts becomes available, IAR will share it here.

Several ways for all to help

IRRF, a 501(c)(3) organization, was established by IAR last year to help Illinois residents living in communities affected by natural disasters. Donations are tax-deductible and can be made online or via mail: IRRF, 522 S. Fifth St., Springfield, IL 62701. Victims can apply for $500 in assistance on a first-come, first-served basis.

In addition, the NAR offers the REALTORS® Relief Foundation offers housing-related assistance to victims of disasters. You can donate to it online or by mail (REALTORS® Relief Foundation, c/o NAR, 430 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611).