Oklahoma Tornadoes

Spring is a pretty season and looked forward to after winter but with that comes tornado season.  I remember going to Grandma and Grandpa's old basement when we were kids too many times to wait out possible tornadoes.  My first spring here in Iowa (2008), I spent a lot of time in our old basement while Bill and the other firemen were out on storm watch.  Our town had been hit bad just a few years before and nearby Pocahontas, where Diane lives, was just a couple of years ago.  

After watching CNN and seeing how much is destroyed in Oklahoma, I can't imagine what all of those peoples' days and nights are like right now - where do they all go and how do they get there when the roads are blocked and their vehicles are totaled - or gone?  And how long did they have to wait before help got there?  How can there be enough help for all of those people?  How could they get so many patients from a hospital evacuated?

I just read The Pioneer Woman's blog post today (click HERE to read it all) and thought I would copy here what she has listed as places and how you can easily donate to reputable organizations.  If you text, it's super easy to text and have $10 donated and added to your cell phone bill.  The Pioneer Woman and her family live on a large ranch in Oklahoma.  The storms were not in her area so they are okay.

Salvation Army
Supporters are encouraged to give online at www.SalvationArmyUSA.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769). You can also text the word “STORM” to 80888 to make a $10 donation through your mobile phone; to confirm your gift, respond with the word “Yes.”
Samaritan’s Purse
Samaritan’s Purse has deployed a team to Moore, Oklahoma and will respond to the current needs in any way they can.
Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma
The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, in partnership with Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, is asking that the public support all rescue, recovery and disaster relief efforts with donations of cash to your favorite responding charity. Financial donations will allow disaster relief agencies to purchase whatever items are deemed necessary without resulting in the additional burden of securing warehouse space and volunteers to work donated product.
To make a tax deductible donation to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, go to www.regionalfoodbank.org or call 604-7111 or text FOOD to 32333 to give $10 to relief efforts.
Feeding America
Feeding America will deliver truckloads of food, water and supplies to impacted areas through its network of more than 200 food banks and 61,000 agencies. The organization’s food banks will also set up additional dropoff sites.
Convoy of Hope
International humanitarian relief organization Convoy of Hope is responding to the Moore, Okla. area this morning. Immediately after the devastating tornadoes struck, a Convoy of Hope assessment team was in the area and tractor-trailers were loaded with emergency supplies at Convoy of Hope’s World Distribution Center in Springfield, Missouri.
Those wishing to make a contribution to the OKC and Midwest tornado relief efforts can make a secure online contribution by visiting: http://www.convoyofhope.org. To place a $10 donation on your cellular bill, text the word CONVOY to 50555. Standard text and data rates apply.
American Red Cross
People who wish to make a donation can support American Red Cross Disaster Relief, which helps provide food, shelter and emotional support to those affected by disasters like the recent tornadoes in Oklahoma and Texas as well as disasters big and small throughout the United States by visiting redcross.org, dialing 1-800-REDCROSS or texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
Central OK Humane Society (For the pets left homeless and injured.)
Currently greatest need is financial donations to help treat and house lost and injured animals. Current in-kind needs are: Towels, paper towels, bleach, gloves, and crates. All donations can be taken to either Central Park Dog Daycare location (2905 NW 70th and 5420 N. Classen Blvd.) Pet food donations may be taken there as well.