You can help with oil spill, animals

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Despite how much people may want to help the animals affected by the Kalamazoo River oil spill, residents are asked not to touch the oil, or any animals coated in it. But you can still help.

"The best thing you can do for the wildlife at this point is to observe from a safe distance and report the information into the hotline," said Lisa Williams, of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. "Let our teams respond."

The hotline Williams is referring to can be reached at (800) 306-6837.

Crude oil can be toxic, according to Enbridge Energy, and it has the potential to make people sick. Instead of trying to help the animals, officials stress people should just call the hotline.

People cannot just pluck an animal out of the river and use soap and water on it. Cleaning an animal is a much more complicated process that involves several people and very specific conditions. For example, the water needs to be a certain temperature.

Anyone who still wants to help can donate supplies for cleaning animals, such as linens, towels, pillow cases, cardboard boxes and duct tape.

The drop-off site for those materials is at the Crossroads Church and Ministries parking lot, in Marshall. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. everyday.

Betten Imports sent out an e-mail blast that resulted in Valley City Linens donating several thousand pounds of linen.

If you would like to help, Betten Imports is planning to deliver the following materials to Marshall: nonfitted and nonelastic linens, duct tape, small whiteboards, sheets, large towels and pillowcases.

You're asked to drop these off as soon as possible, as Betten is planning on making a delivery Friday afternoon.

Here are some additional times:

• 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Wednesday
• 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday

Betten is located at 5901 28th St. SE, in Grand Rapids.