Donations for Washington, IL

Monday, November 18, 2013

Donations for Washington, IL

I am updating the bottom of this post as I learn about new ways to donate to the relief effort. Scroll down for the latest information

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you know that my mom’s house was leveled by the tornado that hit Washington, IL yesterday.

My mom’s front yard and door

My younger brother Andrew was in the house when it happened. He was sleeping on the couch when he woke up all of a sudden. He looked out the window to see a tree flying through the air towards him and ran to the top of the stairs. To his right, the kitchen walls were sucked away. He dove for the bathroom and curled up in a ball on the floor. When he opened his eyes, there was a blue sky above him and the toilet, tub, and bathroom walls around him were all gone. He was able to walk away and after a short visit to the hospital, he went home with only 8 stitches, quite a few scratches, and lot of bruises. It’s amazing that he’s alive.

Our motto about this tragedy has been “Things are replaceable. People are not.” We’re very lucky that he was relatively unharmed and all that we lost were things. My mom’s entire neighborhood is basically leveled. If you’ve seen the national news coverage, most of it has been filmed in her neighborhood. Update: Over the past two days, we were able to salvage some items from the house. The basement was still in decent shape, however a water main broke during the tornado, so the basement flooded. Luckily some family photos were in plastic containers and did not get damaged.

The street leading up to my mom’s house

I wanted to take a minute to thank everyone for the kind words through your texts, tweets, emails, and other messages. And for those of you who have been asking what you can do, there are a few options.

The Washington Tornado Relief Fund has been set up to help victims. Checks can be mailed to Washington Tornado Relief Fund, 721 West Jackson St, Morton, IL 61550
United Way has set up a Heart of Illinois Tornado Relief Fund. Information and donation links can be found here.
You can donate to the Red Cross of central Illinois. Here is a link to their online donation site. To donate by mail, you will need this form. You can specify that you would like your funds to go to the Central Illinois chapter to ensure that the money is used in these areas.
The Peoria Chiefs are doing an online auction with all the proceeds going to help the tornado recovery efforts. The auction will have autographed baseballs from Stan Musial, Bob Gibson, Greg Maddux and David Freese along with an autographed Ryne Sandberg Hall of Fame program.
You can purchase a Washington Tornado Relief t-shirt. All proceeds will go to families who have lost their home.
Heroes Memorial Foundation is accepting online donations for first responders, military (active and veterans) and their families who were affected by the tornado.

Thanks for everyone’s thoughts, good vibes, and support. It’s very much appreciated. You can follow along on twitter with #WashingtonIL or on Instagram

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6 comments »

97 Responses to “Geoff and Drew’s Giveaway”

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1

Carol — January 31, 2011 at 9:41 pm

I would love some Toffee Brownies–yummy!
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Carol — January 31, 2011 at 9:42 pm

Tweeted!
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kelly — January 31, 2011 at 9:49 pm

If I won I would definitely try the chocolate sampler basket.
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A Boston Food Diary — January 31, 2011 at 9:53 pm

Yummmm Geoff and Drews ARE delicious! Brownies sound delicious right now!
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Ajgianna — January 31, 2011 at 9:54 pm

Tweeted. Thanks!
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Audrey — January 31, 2011 at 9:55 pm

Oops! Tweeted under “Boston Food Finds”…ajgainna@hotmail.com.
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Susan (Oliepants) — January 31, 2011 at 9:56 pm

I would order the silver celebration box of cookies and brownies! It really is hard to pick either or because the cookies and brownies look (and I’m sure taste!) delicious!!!! And the packaging is so pretty! I’m all over the double fudge! 🙂
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Ashley Tiblier — January 31, 2011 at 9:59 pm

I would want to try all of the cookie and brownie flavors!
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Ashley Tiblier — January 31, 2011 at 9:59 pm

I like Geoff and Drew’s on Facebook.
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Ljyoung85 — January 31, 2011 at 10:21 pm

A cookie and brownie combo. I want to try both!
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Bianca Garcia — January 31, 2011 at 10:26 pm

I’d love to try the signature brownies!
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Lecklund24 — January 31, 2011 at 10:35 pm

Ahh the variety sampler 🙂 🙂 Soooo much goodness in one little box 🙂
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krissy (dainty chef) — January 31, 2011 at 10:45 pm

I think the white chocolate cranberry cookie box! Yum!
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Ashley — January 31, 2011 at 10:47 pm

I would pick the I Love You Red box. Yummy stuff!
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BostonGirl — January 31, 2011 at 10:53 pm

The Silver Sampler looks terrific, and I would send it to my friend Ali in Cali! 🙂
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kimz — January 31, 2011 at 11:06 pm

Oh what I would do to send my boyfriend the Sweetheart Treats Crate. Sweets for my sweets!
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kimz — January 31, 2011 at 11:07 pm

Geoff & Drew’s FB page? Liked liked liked!
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starsquiggle — January 31, 2011 at 11:17 pm

I would love to try the White Chocolate Cranberry
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starsquiggle — January 31, 2011 at 11:18 pm

i “liked” Geoff and Drew on Facebook
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starsquiggle — January 31, 2011 at 11:20 pm

I Tweeted on Geoff and Drew’s Twitter page
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Pam — January 31, 2011 at 11:40 pm

Yum! I would love to try the signature chocolate chip cookies!
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Pam — January 31, 2011 at 11:41 pm

Also “liked Geoff and Drer’s” on Facebook
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Jen @ BakedByJen — January 31, 2011 at 11:49 pm

I’d love the Assorted Brownies and Cookies!
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Danielle — January 31, 2011 at 11:55 pm

I would love to get an assortment–try everything!
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Danielle — January 31, 2011 at 11:56 pm

tweeted @danid320
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Danielle — January 31, 2011 at 11:57 pm

Geoff and Dre’s facebook page has been “liked”!
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Missbrandy — January 31, 2011 at 11:59 pm

I’d get the Pretty in Pink 8 cookies- 8 brownies box. They’d be perfect for a fund-raising event I’m doing for the Susan G Komen 3day for the cure walk!
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Missbrandy — February 1, 2011 at 12:01 am

I’ve liked G&D on facebook!
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Christina — February 1, 2011 at 12:11 am

I would order the Silver Celebration of cookies – variety is the spice of life! 🙂
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Ellen — February 1, 2011 at 12:57 am

Mmmm, I would certainly order a box of just the white chocolate cranberry cookies.
Sounds fantastic!
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Katy Sundararajan — February 1, 2011 at 1:11 am

My choice would be the “I Love you Red – 8 Cookies & 8 Brownies,” the total chocolate version, as my Valentine has a serious sweet tooth. 🙂 Oo! I hope I win!
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Alexis Ellysse Adams — February 1, 2011 at 1:13 am

I liked Geoff and Drew’s facebook page! 🙂 I LOVE cookies!!! YUM!
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FunandFearlessinBeantown — February 1, 2011 at 1:15 am

What a great giveaway! I’m a big fan of the white chocolate cranberry cookies!
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sab1976 — February 1, 2011 at 1:26 am

Yellow Celebration – 8 Cookies & 8 Brownies
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Jenny — February 1, 2011 at 1:27 am

I’d love some double fudge cookies 🙂
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Jennifer Landers — February 1, 2011 at 1:30 am

I would purchase the giant cookie heart…yummy!!
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Whitequiet — February 1, 2011 at 1:32 am

I would love some of the assorted brownies!
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Patricia — February 1, 2011 at 1:32 am

I would choose the Silver Sampler. It sounds delicious.
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Jennifer Landers — February 1, 2011 at 1:33 am

I liked them!
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Kelly V — February 1, 2011 at 1:34 am

I’d send my mom and her coworkers the giant heart brownie
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Alicia Fidalgo — February 1, 2011 at 1:35 am

I would definitely get one of the assortment packs for my parent’s for valentine’s day! They’d love to try all the flavors of cookies!
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Annie H — February 1, 2011 at 2:02 am

All of the brownie flavors sound delicious, so I would get a brownie assortment.
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Cara — February 1, 2011 at 2:08 am

I’d never choose just one kind of cookie or brownie. I’d be all over the pretty in pink combo box!
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Cara — February 1, 2011 at 2:09 am

tweeted for you!
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Sarah C — February 1, 2011 at 2:09 am

I would have to go with the Silver Celebration of 16 Assorted Brownies. We LOVE brownies!
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Sarah C — February 1, 2011 at 2:19 am

I liked them on FB!
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Susie — February 1, 2011 at 3:25 am

I’m so getting the Valentine’s Day 12 cookie and 4 brownie combo. Mmm…cranberry and chocolate!
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Susie C — February 1, 2011 at 3:27 am

I like Geoff and Drew’s on facebook, too!
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Lynne — February 1, 2011 at 3:28 am

Probably the assorted pack of brownies. That way I can try more than one type!
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Shelly8806 — February 1, 2011 at 3:55 am

I’d get the Pretty in Pink box so I can try a little bit of everything.
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Shelly8806 — February 1, 2011 at 3:56 am

I liked Geoff & Drew’s on Facebook.
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Sarah — February 1, 2011 at 4:27 am

I would go for the combination of brownies and cookies. They are all making me drool, omg!
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chelsea rose — February 1, 2011 at 6:06 am

I would definitely get a cookie and brownie combination. Both are sooooo delicious!!
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chelsea rose — February 1, 2011 at 6:09 am

and i like them on facebook 🙂
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kayla — February 1, 2011 at 6:19 am

i’d order the valentine’s sampler to send to my mother 🙂
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kayla — February 1, 2011 at 6:20 am

i like geoff and drew on facebook!
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Jodonnell — February 1, 2011 at 1:04 pm

toffee brownies!!
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Eva — February 1, 2011 at 1:38 pm

My best friend is having a baby girl in 2 weeks, so I’d order the Pastel Mini Tower for her!
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Jen — February 1, 2011 at 1:38 pm

I would get a cookie-brownie combo…best of both worlds!! ; )
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HeatherLynne13 — February 1, 2011 at 1:48 pm

I would go for a cookie/brownie combo. Definitely the white chocolate cranberry cookies though!
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Tiffany and Ryan — February 1, 2011 at 1:58 pm

I would order the white chocolate cranberry cookies. Everything on their site looks yummy!
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Daisy — February 1, 2011 at 2:31 pm

I stand by that statement. These cookies are heaven. sign me up for chocolate chip!
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Erin — February 1, 2011 at 2:32 pm

I’d get the Pretty in Pink-the 12 cookies & 4 brownies. Yum! 🙂
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Daisy — February 1, 2011 at 2:32 pm

Liked them on Facebook!
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Daisy — February 1, 2011 at 2:33 pm

Tweeted 🙂
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Caroline — February 1, 2011 at 3:34 pm

That giant brownie heart has my name on it!
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Cheryl — February 1, 2011 at 3:38 pm

Mmm. I am in love with brownies and my husband loves chocolate chip cookies so I’d order some of each! I “liked” them on FB also. Thanks for the chance at the giveaway!
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Becky — February 1, 2011 at 4:05 pm

Yum Yum Yum – I’d definitely get the Double Fudge Cookies!
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Helen — February 1, 2011 at 4:36 pm

Too many goodies to choose just one, so I’d go with the Cookies, Brownies, Chocolate Dipped Pretzels & Buttercrunch combo!
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Amandaaldi — February 1, 2011 at 6:46 pm

Oh my god, probably the mint or toffee brownies!! Everything looks so good!
And no, I hadn’t heard of them and I live in Cambridge!!
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Amandaaldi — February 1, 2011 at 6:48 pm

I also just liked them on Facebook! 🙂
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Coleen — February 1, 2011 at 7:32 pm

I think brownie sampler would be amazing. I would love to try the mint and toffee brownies especially.
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Marcie — February 1, 2011 at 7:34 pm

Wow, these look delish, I would order some brownies for me and my honey!
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Marcie — February 1, 2011 at 7:34 pm

Liked them on Facebook
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Nicole — February 1, 2011 at 7:57 pm

Yum! I would love any of the cookie assortments!
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Jessie — February 1, 2011 at 8:23 pm

I would choose the I Love You Red brownie / cookie combo. Looks delish!
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Amber-Lyn Johnson — February 2, 2011 at 12:15 am

I would use my winning certificate on a brownie and cookie assortment. They look yummy!
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Amber-Lyn Johnson — February 2, 2011 at 12:16 am

I like Geoff and Drew’s Facebook Page
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Amber-Lyn Johnson — February 2, 2011 at 12:16 am

I tweeted about the giveaway. Good luck everyone.
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Anthea — February 2, 2011 at 5:27 pm

I tweeted!
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Anthea — February 2, 2011 at 5:29 pm

Oh yes, and I’d get the double fudge cookies!
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DC2ALB — February 2, 2011 at 6:06 pm

I would order the Silver Sampler for my best friend’s birthday. Might do that anyway…
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DC2ALB — February 2, 2011 at 6:22 pm

Tweeted it as @DC2ALB
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Susan O — February 2, 2011 at 6:57 pm

I would order the toffee brownies or double fudge cookies–yum!!
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Susan O — February 2, 2011 at 6:59 pm

I like Geoff and Drew on facebook!
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Aimee — February 2, 2011 at 7:56 pm

I like the Winter Snowflake assorted brownies
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eatrunread — February 2, 2011 at 8:40 pm

Oh wow! I want the Silver Assorted Brownies box! Yummm!
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Carly — February 2, 2011 at 10:27 pm

OMG toffee brownies and double chocolate cookies. I’m drooling
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Carly — February 2, 2011 at 10:27 pm

I like Geoff and drew on fb!
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90

susitravl — February 3, 2011 at 2:22 am

I would definitely get the Double Fudge Cookies.
susitravl(at)gmail(dot)com
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susitravl — February 3, 2011 at 2:25 am

Like Geoff & Drew on FB
susitravl(at)gmail(dot)com
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Linda — February 3, 2011 at 4:11 pm

I’d want the Fall Foliage Gift Box. Sounds yummy!
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Elina (Healthy and Sane) — February 3, 2011 at 7:52 pm

I remember everyone raving about these. I’d get the Yellow Celebration – 8 Cookies & 8 Brownies. It sounds like the perfect sampler 🙂
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Amanda L. — February 4, 2011 at 1:53 am

I would probably get one of the variety samplers. Try one of each!
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Amanda L. — February 4, 2011 at 1:54 am

I tweeted the giveaway!
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Lilmeyoga — February 4, 2011 at 3:05 am

We call the buttercrunch, heaven in a bag!! 🙂
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Mary — February 4, 2011 at 3:31 am

These are the best cookies and brownies. I hope my husband orders me some! 🙂