Black Friday is a day for finding bargains to fill those gift lists. But there also will be the opportunity to help folks who are in desperate need. On Sunday, November 17th tornadoes wreaked havoc on the town of Washington, IL. The EF-4 tornado packed winds of 170 to 190 mph, which NBC Chicago reports leveled more than 400 homes and left one person dead. 

Volunteers of the East-coast based Heroes for the Homeland are working to gather vital supplies and well-trained emergency volunteers so they may deploy on November 30th to help with clean-up efforts in Illinois. St. Mary’s County Community Mediation Center has agreed to act as the local collection point for supplies for that effort. According to Executive Director Lindsey Bradley, the drop-off point will be behind the Weiner Building just past the square in Leonardtown from 4-8 p.m. on Black Friday. People dropping off supplies can then stay for the tree lighting ceremony and the appearance of Santa on the square.                                           

“Our police, fire and emergency brothers and sisters in Illinois are working double-time to help families with the devastation.  We want to be there for them through this challenge.  No one should have to face this kind of natural disaster on their own,” said Heroes board president, Chris Johnson.

The goals for the Heroes for the Homeland volunteer deployment are to 1) deliver emergency supplies to Illinois police, fire, and ems that need it; 2) deliver needed supplies to the communities affected by the recent tornadoes; and 3) assist in community cleanup efforts.

Heroes for the Homeland trailers will also be at FOP 89 (2905 Old Largo Rd Upper Marlboro, MD 20772) collecting donations until the group deploys on Saturday, November 30 for Washington, IL. Maryland residents may leave donations in or near bins at the trailer and Heroes volunteers will visit throughout the day to place them inside.  Donations they are accepting at the trailer include personal protection equipment (gloves, dust masks), hand warmers, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items, baby supplies, cleanup items (hand tools, chainsaws, lights, power tools, trash bags, shovels), unexpired non-perishable foods, new black work boots, and storage