The devastating floods in southeastern Minnesota have left many educators and their communities needing basic assistance. Here's how you can help:
- Donate money through the Education Minnesota Foundation. Send or drop off your cash or check payable to the Education Minnesota Foundation at Education Minnesota’s headquarters, 41 Sherburne Ave., St. Paul, MN 55103. Include a note stating that your donation is for southeastern Minnesota flood relief efforts.
- Bring a monetary donation to the Education Minnesota Professional Conference at Saint Paul RiverCentre Thursday, Oct. 18. The collection center will be located in the rotunda on the lower level.
- Visit the United Way Web site (see link on this page) to register as a volunteer.
- Visit the Minnesota Recovers Web site (see link on this page) for more ways to help.
- Watch this Web site for future updates.
If you're a victim and need help:
- Dial 211 from any land line to reach the United Way.
Members in the Rushford area can go to the Resource Center at the Rushford-Peterson Middle School in Peterson (about four miles from Rushford), or call 507-273-7704.
- In Winona County, go to the volunteer center in the former Econo Foods building at the intersection of highways 61 and 14, or call 507-457-8882.
Members in Fillmore and Olmsted counties can access mental health services through the Zumbro Valley Mental Health Center, 343 Wood Lake Drive S.E., Rochester, MN 55904, (507) 589-2089.
- Anyone needing mental health assistance associated with the flooding can call the Winona Mental Health Services hotline at 800-657-6777 and ask for Julie Hanson. There is no charge for this service as long as it is flood-related.
- Visit the Minnesota Recovers Web site (see link on this page) for links to local, state and federal resources on everything from clean-up and repair to disaster assistance guidelines, to saving water-damaged records and photos.
- For questions related to member benefits, referrals or property/casualty insurance, call Shelley MacDonald at Education Minnesota ESI.
- Contact the Education Minnesota Crisis Response Team by calling Michelle Duke, 651-292-4893 or 800-652-9073.