Community members have decided to collect resources to help the victims of the weekend’s Midwest tornadoes.

Tri-State Towing, 1438 Pleasant St., is collecting donations and picking up goods from community donors. The items will be brought to Washington Thursday morning.

Among the items being collected are clothes, toiletries, imperishable goods, batteries and pet food. The people at Tri-State believe it is important to help one of the hardest-hit communities in Washington, Ill., which is only about 120 miles away.

Marissa McGowen, Tri-State’s office manager, said company employees are taking the drive out of the goodness of their hearts, and they would want others to do the same for them.

“People all over [our] community have families in that area,” McGowen said.

Junior nursing major Casey Branch, who stayed in her basement while visiting home, was nervous to drive back from her hometown of Huntley to DeKalb. Branch waited until the storm ran its course, but always keeps a watchful eye for warnings.

“The best ways to keep safe in these situations is by staying inside on a low level with no windows,” Branch said.

Branch hopes the destruction will encourage communities to build more storm shelters.

John Carson, 25, of Paxton, has had a tornado hit near his house. Carson said tornado destruction is hard and basic needs are difficult to take care of when home wreckage occurs.

“Where do you sleep? Where do you shower?” Carson said.

Carson said counseling is a good idea after a victim discovers his or her home is destroyed.

Tri-State is working in conjunction with the Red Cross, which is looking for donations and volunteers.