kgw.com

A blog in a local newspaper raised questions Wednesday about whether donations made to the Red Cross were going directly to Oregon and Washington flood relief. The blog entry in The Oregonian said Jan Margosian of the Oregon Attorney Generals' office said that 'all donations to the Red Cross go into a general fund and cannot be broken out by disaster,' according to the reporter.

However, the Red Cross on Wednesday told KGW that the newspaper report was incorrect, and donors could specificy their contributions to go to "Oregon Flood Relief" or to "Washington Flood Relief". The Red Cross online donation website also offered those specific check-box options.

The Red Cross did confirm that those wishing to donate to a specific community like Vernonia or Chehalis could not do so through the Red Cross, and those donors were advised to contact the affected communities and counties directly. A Red Cross spokesman told KGW that any contributors who felt they had been misled could contact the Red Cross for a refund of their donation.

To donate in person:

Donations were still being accepted at U.S. Bank branched in Oregon, where contributions were forwarded to the American Red Cross.

To donate online:

Online contributions can be made directly to the Red Cross by clicking here.

Link: VernoniaBlog

By Monday, aid organizations asked people not to bring in any more clothes, saying they were overwhelmed.

In addition, the following information was released from emergency officials in communities hit hard by the storm:

Scappoose

-Scappoose Fire Station, northwest end of town off of Highway 30

-Collecting non-perishable food

-St. Helens Community Federal Credit Union, 52691 Columbia River Hwy

-Collecting blankets, shoes & clothing of all sizes, boots, coats, housewares, non-perishable items, toiletries

St Helens

-Columbia Pacific Food Bank, 474 Milton Way

-Collecting non-perishable food, unused cleaning supplies

-Columbia County Sheriff's Office, 901 PortAvenue

-Collecting non-perishable food, unused cleaning supplies

-St. Helens Community Federal Credit Union, 1720 St. Helens Street

-Collecting blankets, shoes & clothing of all sizes, boots, coats, housewares, non-perishable items, toiletries

Mist

-Mist-Birkenfeld Fire Hall, Highway 47 west of Mist

Rainier

-Riverside Community Church, 305 W. 3rd St. (call first on Saturday)

-Collecting food, unused cleaning supplies

-St. Helens Community Federal Credit Union, 118 East A Street

-Collecting blankets, shoes & clothing of all sizes, boots, coats, housewares, non-perishable items, toiletries

Clatskanie

-St. Helens Community Federal Credit Union, 50 Columbia River Hwy

- Clatskanie Middle School, 55 SE Bryant Street.

-Collecting blankets, shoes & clothing of all sizes, boots, coats, housewares, non-perishable items, toiletries.

Tillamook

- Oregon Dept. of Forestry, 5005 3rd Street.

Astoria/Seaside - Camp Rilea

- 91204 Rilea Road.

Where to Volunteer

-Vernonia City Hall

-Or call Columbia County Sheriff, 503.397.7255, ext. 2286

Vernonia Residents:

Victims assistance is available to residents of Vernonia at Vernonia City Hall from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day.

Donations for victims of the Vernonia Flood can be made by contacting Charlie Ray at (503) 791-9675 with questions.

Furniture donations can be dropped off at Lincoln Grade School 1462 W. Bridge Street, or at Cedar Ridge Camp, at 18962 Keasey Road.

Non-perishable food donations can be dropped off at 998 Bridge Street, across from Vernonia City Hall.

People interested in volunteering in can sign a volunteer contact list at Vernonia City Hall.

An account has been established at the Wauna Federal Credit Union at 1010 Bridge Street, Vernonia, OR 97064 to accept financial donations. Donations will be accepted at any Wauna Federal Credit Union branch.