Walmart donates to Red Cross

GLOUCESTER, Va. (WAVY) - Walmart in Gloucester County donated $30,000 to the Red Cross to help the victims of last month's tornado.

When scenes from Joplin, Missouri hit the evening news last night, Gloucester residents said that night in April seemed like only yesterday.

"It brings it all back. I mean it stirs it up. You know, you're looking at it and you're taken back to the first day when you saw it at your own property," said Lisa VanDyke who survived the tornado in Gloucester County.

VanDyke and Roger Hogge lost everything when the tornado hit their home. They were inside when it struck, and kept alive in a bath tub they said by the grace of God.

Many people in Gloucester are still living in temporary homes and in need of assistance.

"We've heard a lot of talk about people doing benefit concerts and everything but nobody's offered us a dime," said Hogge.

But on Tuesday morning, the Walmart Corporation stepped up to the plate donating $30,000 to the local chapter of the American Red Cross, itself a victim of the tornado helping so many people cope with so much destruction.

"They depleted many of their resources and the money they had in their coffers, so this is going to help them reestablish and be able to be what they need to be," said Gloucester Walmart manager Rick Helton.

Hogge is renting a house three miles from the spot where his home used to stand.

County officials said the money donated to the Red Cross will be used to help people like Hogge and VanDyke with rent while they rebuild, but no amount of money will help them forget.

"It's kind of hard to go to bed at night when you hear the thunder, and the thunder sounds just like the tornado that took it all away," said Hogge.

Gloucester Emergency Management officials say people needing financial assistance should process their request through the county office.