Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Joplin Missouri

If you follow the news--and I have the impression that all of you do--you know about the EF-4 tornado that tore a one mile wide, six mile long swath through the center of Joplin, Missouri on Sunday night. It destroyed a hospital, schools, churches, and homes and (so far) is responsible for a 116 deaths. There are many still missing and I expect the numbers to rise.

We live 80 miles Southeast of Joplin. All we got here was wet. Most of my family lives nearby or north in Springfield, so we're fortunate in that regard. But Jeremiah's band, Stranger's Unaware, is headquartered there. They are all fine, but one member lost his home, another worked maintenance at the hospital and--for now--has no job. Others are missing family members and friends.

We are due more bad weather tonight. I am hoping that it fizzles out before it gets here.

If you want to help--here are some options:

You can donate to the Red Cross
You can donate to Convoy of Hope Or you can TEXT CONVOY TO 50555 TO DONATE $10

If you live locally you can donate blood. There is a code red for type O.
A lot local banks are taking donations as well.

There are also a number of Fund Raisers en force as I type this.

Please consider helping.


4 comments:

Happy Elf Mom (Christine) said...

Wow, I had no idea you were so close! There are fundraisers locally in the elementary schools as well. The news stories are absolutely horrid with calls for let those teabagging states suffer in the comments.

*yep*

People astound me with their generosity and their cruelty sometimes.

Dennis Bryant said...

Tractor-trailer loads of stuff are headed that way from churches in the middle of the state. I've always enjoyed the time I've spent in Joplin because it's such a hospitable place full of good and decent people. I'm sick about what has happened...

Scotty said...

Glad to hear you're okay, Mary. I'd give buckets of my O-neg blood if I could.

Mary O. Paddock said...

HEM--I am trying to teach myself to stop reading the comments on everything except blogs. :)

Dennis--Good to hear. Next time you're over this general direction, let me know, will you?

Scotty--Thanks Scotty. That's okay, I'll just make sure Gary and Daniel give twice as much in your honor.