Jefferson City and Eldon shelters to merge into one location

JEFFERSON CITY — American Red Cross officials said Sunday the shelters for displaced families in Jefferson City and Eldon will merge into one location in Russellville on Tuesday.

They said families staying in the Eldon shelter were expected to move in Sunday afternoon but most had found somewhere to live by Sunday, so the shelter was temporarily vacant.

Jefferson City shelter manager Paul Klink said merging locations makes resources more accessible for families.

"It's much easier if we can consolidate the clients into one center where all the resources can be brought into one place," he said.

Klink said they chose Russellville as the new location because it is halfway between Jefferson City and Eldon. Despite the chaos many families are dealing with, Klink said they have reacted positively to moving shelters.

"You would think that would be more of a change and very stressful for the clients but they seem very grateful, they get it," he said.

Louis Richmond and his family were among the people who lost their home in the May 22nd tornado.

"It has been stressful but the children are taking it really well," Richmond said. "Of course they don't realize the magnitude of the situation- they're children and really can't grasp that."

Richmond said there have been both good and bad days.

"The morale isn't as bad as I thought it was going to be," he said. "But there were times when I just broke down and cried because I couldn't believe the situation I'm in."

Klink said the number of people staying in the Jefferson City shelter has decreased.

"We're down to about 25-30% of the people who were initially here," he said.

Klink said it's important for the American Red Cross volunteers to provide more than just physical resources.

"It's sometimes not as much about just food, water, and shelter as it is about psychological first aid and being someone that listens," he said.

Klink said the American Red Cross is working to provide more shuttles from the new location.

"We're working with other community partners in the area and we are looking for some partners in Russellville to help us build a shuttling system," he said. "It would be for clients who have doctor's appointments and other appointments so they aren't stuck on the bus for too long of a time."

Richmond said he is grateful for the American Red Cross and said their support is helping him get through this difficult time.

"There's some hope and we are clinging to that," he said. "We have faith in these people and they've come through for us."

Klink said donations can be made to the American Red Cross. He said to take clothing donations to the Salvation Army, who will then pass those items onto the Red Cross.