Police: Gift Cards Are Needed Most for Tornado Relief

As Buffalo Grove police prepare to collect donations for tornado victims, they are asking that donors consider buying gift cards first.

Gift cards will allow the recipients to purchase the items they need most, said Sgt. Roy Bethge.

Gift cards can be from stores such as Home Depot, Lowes, Menards, Walmart, Target, Costco, Sam’s Club, Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy.

The department won't turn away donations of other items, but the Amercian Red Cross, to which police had planned to bring any additional donations, has stopped accepting clothing, he said.

Donations collected by the the police department will first be offered to current and retired first responders who were affected by the tornadoes.

Bethge is posting updates about the effort, which is being coordinated in conjunction with the Buffalo Grove Fire Department, on a Helping First Responders - IL Tornado Assistance Facebook page.

Donations can be dropped off at the Buffalo Grove Police Department, 46 Raupp Blvd., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Contributions will be taken to Tazwell County on Tuesday.

Previously: Buffalo Grove Police, Fire Departments Hold Tornado Relief Effort
Related: Buffalo Grove Women Host Tornado Relief Collection