FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 4, 2013
BMS Moving & Storage A-1 Movers, Inc., Organizations, Communities
Collaborate to Benefit Central Illinois Tornado Relief Efforts
Businesses and Communities in Chicago Suburbs Show Outpouring of Support
WARRENVILLE, Ill. – On Tuesday, November 26, nine employees and leaders from BMS Moving & Storage A-1 Movers, Inc. delivered a trailer load of donated supplies to the Central Illinois Tornado Relief Efforts that were graciously donated by organizations and community members of the greater Chicago area, including BMS Moving & Storage A-1, and BMS Moving & Storage A-1 employees. Some of the donated items included: a pallet of boxes; pallets of water; canned goods; personal items; baby diapers; baby food; cat and dog food; paper products and so much more.
Lori Moran, Executive Vice President at BMS Moving & Storage A-1 said the two BMS Moving & Storage A-1 Illinois branch locations served as a donation station. “The communities of Lake Zurich and Warrenville really stepped up to make such a positive impact for those affected by the tornadoes that struck central Illinois.” Signs in the communities, status updates on the BMS Moving & Storage A-1 social media pages as well as speaking with fellow business owners raised awareness and yielded many contributions to the donation station. “The amount of donations received was astounding,” said Moran. The majority of donations came from the families, students, staff and leadership of: Baker & Harris; BMS Moving & Storage A-1 Movers, Inc.; CDS Moving Equipment, Inc.; Chicago Testing Laboratory, Inc.; Four Winds Waldorf School; HPL Stampings; United States Gymnastics Training Center of Lake Zurich IL.; St Emily’s Parish of Mt Prospect, IL.; Two Brothers Brewing Company of Warrenville, IL.; Santi Express, Inc.; and Wheaton Van Lines employees. There were also many walk-in donations.
The Relief Team delivered the donations to the United Evangelical Methodist Church in Washington, IL. The church team, led by Pastor John Hauck was very gracious. The Relief Team helped organize everything the church received and moved many donations to make it easier for the tornado victims to come in and get what they needed. “It was the most humbling and yet rewarding thing any of us had ever done. One thing was for sure, the American flag was still standing.” The Relief Team said they felt more joy than you could imagine. Seeing the look on their faces and the happiness they felt was really something else, said Moran.
To donate or to find an updated list of needed items, many websites and organizations exist, including, The Salvation Army, the American Red Cross and the United Evangelical Methodist Church. There are also many other social media pages that feature updates for specific items of need. Although some needed items are continually changing, according to most online updates, clothing and bedding are no longer needed. At the time of publication, essentials such as bottled water, canned goods, toiletries and financial contributions are in higher demand.
