Rushford

 Area Relief

*Rushford Flood Relief Fund (RCF)

501(c)3

(Your tax deductible donation will be used locally to aid those impacted by the flood.)

Mail to:

Rushford Community Foundation

P.O. Box 671

Rushford, MN 55971

*An Account has been set up at Associated  Bank:

Make checks to:

City of Rushford

Flood Relief Fund

(This account is set up by the city of Rushford. Flood victims will apply and the money will be distributed.)

Mail to:

City of Rushford Relief Fund

Associated Bank

PO Box 726

Rushford, MN 55971

*An Account Has Been Set Up at Rushford State Bank for:

Rushford Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Personnel

Make checks to:

Rushford Emergency Services

Mail to:

Rushford Emergency Services
PO Box 648
Rushford State Bank
Rushford, MN 55971
Note:  Personnel
 

Rushford Area

Thanks to all others who took pictures of the flood destruction. These photos help show the true tragedy many people are facing in their lives and hopefully ignite the donations of time and money to help rebuild.

TRW Employees

from Rushford and Houston Affected

Comments from Rushford Victims

Almost 2 weeks after the flood, it is hard to get into Rushford so, since I am from Houston, I can only tell what I have heard. My closest experience is meeting some of the ladies who play in the golf league for a "break" from the disaster.  I'm not sure what type of break it was as my heart broke while I listened.

Houston and Rushford are only 11 miles apart. We have shared many things in the past even though we have had almost a century of competition in athletics. The biggest kinship we have is the Root River Valley. Many times the water has risen and fallen and each time, we share the concern of what might happen. But the flood of 2007 was not the Root River. Instead the many creeks that placidly meander through the bluffs and valleys of Bluff Country became the culprit destroying whatever it wanted after the hammering rains.

At the golf course, even through the horrendous frustration of what lies ahead, I heard the positives of the unselfishness of people during a crisis like this. HOPE still exists in this small community in the middle of the southeastern Minnesota disaster and that is certainly refreshing. But, if you can help, please search this website for more information.

Southeastern Minnesota 2007 Flood Volunteer Information

Feeding Flood Victims, Volunteers, and Many Others

In the early hours of Sunday, August 19 Rushford residents seeking
higher ground and safety from the flood waters came to Montini Hall an
extension of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. As daylight came and the day progressed people became hungry and food was found, prepared and served to those at the hall. This was the beginning of a great effort to provide hot meals for the victims of the flood and those who came to
their aid. In the first days after the flood, as many as 3500 people
were served hot meals three times a day by countless volunteers who just showed up. The number of meals being served stayed above 2000 for that first week and into the second week after August 19. Into the third week, the number of meals served continue to number around 1500. Even now, almost 6 weeks later, more than 500 people a day are coming to Montini to find hot food, drink, and fellowship. In the early days after the flood, meals were served from 6 am to midnight and beyond. This effort continues to this day and will continue through the first week of October from 6 to 6. There was a great need for this sustenance with no restaurant and no grocery store open in Rushford and so many people without cars to get to a neighboring town to buy supplies, and the need continues only at a lesser level. As of September 28, Subway is open and Stumpy's is serving pizza, but there still is no Rushford Foods. And even if there were a grocery store open, many people still are not back into their homes to cook meals. Volunteers and volunteer groups from many neighboring communities continue to come to Montini to serve their fellow Minnesotans in need. Food is being donated in large quantities and small by individuals and corporations. The need and the charity continues as I write this. The recovery is slow, but it is coming. Montini Hall will likely not be serving daily hot meals, but it will be open as volunteers and food is available.