ROME, Ga. -- 211, Rome and Floyd County's Information and Referral Line, has teamed up with local non-profit organizations to make donation opportunities more accessible to those wanting to help the victims of the March 15 tornado on Old Wax Road.

THE FLOYD COUNTY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION is accepting financial contributions and coordinating volunteer efforts for Tornado victims. Send checks payable to Disaster Relief, and send to the Floyd County Baptist Association, 300 Chatillion Road, N.E., Rome, Georgia 30161. To apply for assistance or to volunteer for recovery projects, call 706-291-0904.

THE AMERICAN RED CROSS responded immediately, provided leadership, and assistance in the tornado's aftermath as they do for other local, state, and national disasters. Contributions can be made to the American Red Cross, 112 John Maddox Drive, Rome, Georgia, 30165. Also, there are opportunities to train to be a Red Cross volunteer. For more information call 706-291-6648.

THE SALVATION ARMY responded extensively in the tornado relief. Also, it provides assistance year round as well including: food, clothing, furniture, and financial assistance. Contributions can be made payable and sent to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 506, Rome, Georgia. The office (706- 291-4745) and Thrift Store are located at 317 East First Avenue, and a second Thrift Store is located at 2502 Shorter Avenue, (706-378-4477). Donations of clothing, furniture, and household items are also accepted.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY'S HOME MART accepts donations of furniture and household items. Habitat's Home Mart is located at 106, Excelsior Street, N.W., Rome, Georgia 30165. (This is on the street behind the former Piggly Wiggly, just off Division Street.) For more information call 706-378-5957.

HANDS ON ROME and FLOYD COUNTY is a non-profit organization focused on providing volunteers to support volunteer efforts throughout all of our community. People who have been affected by the tornado can list projects they need done and people who want to volunteer can finds ways to donate their time and talents. Please contact Debbie Gunnells at 706-766-0633 or by email: info@handsonrome.net or visit the web site: www.handsonrome.org.

211 is an Information and Referral Line. Everyone is familiar that 911 is for emergencies: police, fire, and medical. 211 is for non-emergencies and provides information about human services available throughout Floyd County. The purpose of 211 is to assist people: to get help, to give help, to volunteer, and to donate through our community's organizations.

Dial 211 from a land line or from a cell phone Dial 706-Can-Help (706-226-4357), Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, Bilingual- English and Spanish). 211 is also available on the web, access it online at: www.floydcountyga.org. Click on the blue 211 logo on the home page.

The 211 Information and Referral Line connects people with needed human services through an easy to remember three-digit phone number. In the Floyd County 211 Database there are listings for approximately 150 non-profits, community organizations, governmental agencies, and ministries. For example 211 can offer access to the following types of services to meet basic human needs, physical and mental health resources, employment supports, services for Senior Adults and persons with Disabilities, services for children and youth, volunteer opportunities and disaster/emergency assistance-support.

When someone connects with 211, specially trained information and referral call agents analyze what services are needed and provide the appropriate resource and related information, such as the organization's name, address, phone number, and services. 211 is funded by a collaboration between Floyd County Government, the City of Rome, and the United Way of Rome and Floyd County.