Here’s How To Help Rochelle Tornado Victims and Summerfield Zoo

Caution: language warning on the video above

By this point you're more than aware of the deadly and damaging tornadoes that ripped across the Stateline area Thursday night. Now you might be asking how to help.

You can donate to the Red Cross, of course. But WROK's Michael Koolidge aldo has set up a GoFundMe Account to help friends and neighbors affected by the tornado in Rochelle, his hometown:

Our home is Rochelle, our radio show broadcasts daily from the downtown of Rochelle, and Rochelle is where we dearly love so many people. And many of these very dear friends lost everything on April 9th, 2015 when a devastating tornado ripped through Northern Illinois in the late afternoon and early evening.

Every dime this fund receives through this GoFundMe campaign will go to specific families and homes in Rochelle that were devastated, beyond their immediate necessities provided by the Red Cross (http://www.redcross.org/il/chicago) which we encourage you to donate to as well.

You can find out more or donate right here.

Meanwhile, a second tornado caused massive damage to the Summerfield Zoo in Belvidere. The zoo says all humans are safe, but two animals were killed. According to its Facebook page, a quick survey of fencing alone  looks to be over $20,000 to repair. That doesn't include the major structural damage to buildings at the facility.

I've been out at the zoo multiple times and it's a wonderful place to visit. If you'd like to help Summerfield, an account has been sent up at GoFundMe.

Also, the Northern Illinois Food Bank is contacting our member food pantries and feeding programs in DeKalb, Ogle, Boone, Winnebago, McHenry and Lake counties to assess the need for emergency food supplies.

To help Northern Illinois Food Bank provide food to those affected by the tornadoes, you cam visit SolveHungerToday.org to make a donation.