How the Stateline is helping those impacted by hurricanes

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — One Rockford resident has taken action when it comes to providing support and relief to those impacted by the hurricanes in the South.

Jo Minor, like others in the Midwest, felt helpless when national emergencies like Hurricanes Helene and Milton hit.

These two hurricanes felt a little closer to home, as one of her closest friends Barb Verni-Lau recently moved out there and is experiencing some of the hardest moments of her life.

“She was texting us that people are without any place to go,” Minor said. “The weather’s getting colder. They have nothing. They have no coats, no sweaters.”

Minor said she didn’t want to sit back and watch people like Verni-Lau struggle, she decided to take action.

“I put on Facebook that Barb was in this situation, and we could send stuff to her,” Minor said. “People just said, ‘Here, let me bring this to you.’ I had ten boxes that I brought yesterday to FedEx, and I’m starting on three more. People have sent money for postage, but the need is great. If we can make a small dent, we’re doing something great.”

Verni-Lau said she was overwhelmed with the amount of support from her hometown, but at the same time, she’s not surprised.

“I’m very, very happy and very grateful,” Verni-Lau said. “Rockford’s always going to be my home and I go there a lot, so I really have never left.”

Minor said taking part and making an impact is something we all should be doing.

“This is a national emergency,” Minor said. “This is the human race we’re talking about. I don’t care about if you’re a minority, if you’re black, white, green or yellow. People are people. We need to help where we can.”

More Stateline organizations are also collecting, and the drop-off sites are as follows:

• Shattered Saloon – Loves Park
• Windsor Pizza Parlor – Loves Park
• The Mill Saloon – Machesney Park
• Benny’s @ Nest – Machesney Park
• Benny’s Slots – Roscoe
• Benny’s Slots – Cherry Valley
• Home Depot – Rockford
• Screw City Tavern – Rockford
• Latham West – Rockford
• Latham Tap – Rockford
• Hollywood Slots – South Beloit

Minor said this shows how powerful our community is.

“I love Rockford because people are here for each other always,” Minor said.

Verni-Lau said even though we’re in the Midwest, any and every donation is impactful to communities hers that are in need.

“You have no idea the devastation here and how one coat or one sweatshirt can make somebody feel,” Verni-Lau said. “We really appreciate this. You’ll never know how much we appreciate it out here.”

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