Joplin virtually destroyed by tornado

[tk13]

Please post any ways you can donate/give relief to the people in need in Joplin.

DONATE BY PHONE:

You can send $10 to the Red Cross relief efforts by texting "REDCROSS" to 90999

or

Send $10 to the Salvation Army Disaster relief efforts by texting the word “JOPLIN” to 80888

RED CROSS - Volunteer, donate to disaster victims, donate to a blood drive

http://www.redcross.org/

UNITED WAY - Donate to relief efforts

http://www.uwheartmo.org/

COMMUNITY BLOOD CENTER LOCATIONS - Give blood for those in need

Administration Offices & Donor Center
4040 Main Street
Kansas City, MO 64111
toll free: 1-888-647-4040
816-753-4040

Blue Springs Center
1124 W. 40 Highway
Blue Springs, MO 64015
816-224-0728

Gladstone Center
7265 N. Oak Trafficway
Gladstone, MO 64118
816-468-9813

St. Joseph Center
3122 Frederick
St. Joseph, MO 64506
toll free: 1-800-725-6791
816-232-6791

Overland Park Center
Times Square Shopping Center
10568 Metcalf Ave.
Overland Park, KS 66210
913-383-6800

Olathe Center
1463 E. 151st St.
Olathe, KS 66062
913-829-3724

Topeka Center
800 SW Lane
Topeka, KS 66606
toll free: 1-800-279-5943
785-233-0195

http://www.savealifenow.org/services...-locations.php

VOLUNTEER IN PERSON - Volunteer efforts are being coordinated through Missouri Southern State University.
Many people have contacted the City of Joplin to volunteer assistance to the victims of the storm. ALL citizen volunteers should report to the Recreation Center at Missouri Southern State University. Volunteers’ services are appreciated, but to be effective, will need to be coordinated through this centralized location. Citizens are reminded that the American Red Cross, in cooperation with the City, has set up a shelter at Missouri Southern State University in the Leggett & Platt Center.

http://www.joplinmo.org/article.cfm?AID=966

Relief coordinators Facebook page - Get the word out on fundraisers:

Joplin, MO Tornado Recovery--
If you are coordinating a fundraiser in your area, please send information to joplintornadorecovery@gmail.com so that it can be posted as an event [on the Joplin, MO Tornado Recovery page on facebook]. Remember to include date, time and location, along with any images.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/joplinmo?sk=wall

Columbia area blood donors needed:

A blood drive will be held 2-6 pm at Achieve Balance Chiropractic in Columbia at 3901 S. Providence. If you are wanting to help Joplin, this is a great way to do it.

Here's some info I got from my work e-mail

Message relay from Troop F @ 2120 hours:

In reference to the SEMA Incident the command post is currently operational in the Troop D Joplin area. Due to an overwhelming number of Volunteers, SEMA officials are not currently requesting any further outside assistance until further notice.

More relief organizations:

Missourians interested in volunteering to assist should call (800) 427-4626 or 2-1-1. Those with medical skills interested in volunteering should go to: https://www.showmeresponse.org

Missourians wishing to make donations to help with the relief effort can go to http://www.sema.dps.mo.gov/recover/donations.asp or call (800) 427-4626 or 2-1-1.

Residents affected by the tornado who wish to notify their friends and family that they are safe should go to: https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php. Friends and family who would like to check on their loved ones in the affected area can use the same site.

Missourians who need disaster information, shelter information or referrals are urged to call 2-1-1. The United Way's 211 service number is now available for most areas in Missouri. In areas where the 211 number is not operational, citizens can call 800-427-4626.

United Way of the Ozarks in Springfield is waiting to hear plans from the American Red Cross – Greater Ozarks Chapter regarding mobilizing volunteer efforts. As soon as it has confirmation on how and where to volunteer, it will release that information.

If you would like to help with a monetary donation, please send your checks to United Way of the Ozarks, 320 N. Jefferson Ave., Springfield, MO 65806, marked JOPLIN TORNADO DISASTER RELIEF and all funds received will be distributed to the United Way of Southwest Missouri (Joplin).

Emergency blood drive this afternoon - Monday 5/23

The Greater Kansas City chapter of the American Red Cross will hold an emergency blood drive this afternoon to provide blood for those injured in the tornados over the weekend.

The blood drive will be from 2 to 7 p.m. in the Cass County Room at 211 W. Armour Blvd.

Meanwhile, the Community Blood Center is requesting area residents to donate blood this week to help support the rescue efforts in Joplin.

The blood bank has shipped 15 units of blood to the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks. Local hospitals are performing surgeries on some of the victims and the need for blood will increase as the rescue efforts continue.

To find a mobile blood drive, go to www.safealifenow.org or call 1-888-647-4040. Donors can also go to one of Community Blood Center’s seven Neighborhood Donations Centers.

http://www.kansascity.com/2011/05/23...afternoon.html

Chiefs to hold bottled water drive at Arrowhead - Tuesday 5/24 and Wednesday 5/25

In response to the tragic tornadoes that touched down in Joplin, Mo. and Reading, Kan. this weekend, the Kansas City Chiefs will contribute $35,000 to disaster-relief efforts. Additionally, they and their media partners are teaming with the Salvation Army – Midland Division to hold a bottled-water drive at Arrowhead Stadium for individuals in Kansas City to assist victims in the tornado-ravaged areas. The Chiefs will also be accepting financial donations for Heart-to-Heart International.

Bottled-water donations will be accepted in Lot C on the east side of Arrowhead Stadium Tuesday from noon until 7 p.m. and Wednesday from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Those wishing to provide donations of bottled water may use any entrance to the stadium and may learn more from Chiefs broadcast partners KCTV5, 101 The Fox KCFX and Sports Radio 810 WHB, who have joined the Chiefs in supporting this important effort.

http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/article...9-fc840ea9fece

Springfield school district fundraiser and donation drive:

Springfield Public Schools students are finding ways to raise money and collect supplies to assist local charities with relief efforts for families in Joplin who were affected by the May 22 tornado. A Joplin school nurse has shared with SPS staff that there is an urgent need for water, toothbrushes, toothpaste and food.

http://springfieldpublicschoolsmo.or...id_Joplin.aspx

Other resources for those looking to contribute:

The following charities are accepting donations of money and relief items:

American Red Cross
United Way
Skaggs
Greater Ozarks Red Cross
Dillons
Springfield Jaycees
OTC
Springfield Public Schools
Springfield Paper Company
Edward Jones
Salvation Army
Great Southern
Area banks
Habitat Springfield
Community Blood Centers

http://www.news-leader.com/article/2...relief-efforts

Originally Posted by luv

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?not...17118671706061

Great page to go to in order to see what faundraisers and collections are going on in your area (in Missouri anyway).

Originally Posted by luv

Joplin, MO Tornado Recovery:
The City has established the following phone numbers for people interested in donating their time or items to aid in the recovery effort:
Individual volunteers wanting to donate their time should call 417-625-3543
Volunteers wanting to donate items can call 417-625-3542
Volunteer groups (churches, businesses, etc.) should call 314-623-9991

[gblowfish]

I think this week is when the real work begins. The camera crews will all be gone, the spotlight off, and the actual rebuilding starts. It will be interesting to look at Joplin, say, by Labor Day, so see what progress has been made in the clean up and rebuilding process. I hope it exceeds all reasonable expectations.

[Monty]

Originally Posted by luv

Friend volunteered at one of the shelters. She said that out of everyone she checked in (volunteers) from all over the US, only three were from Joplin. And driving by the golf course, it was full, along with ladies coming out of boutiques and such. She said that she realized that not everyone suffered loss from the destruction, but she was just surprised at how many from Joplin weren't helping.

Also, a couple of funny things she saw:

A chair, an old tv on an old tv stand, a computer monitor, and a keyboard, all broken, were set up with a sign over it that said LIVE FREE.

Driving through a residential area, she saw a hand made sign that said: HOUSE FOR SALE: AS IS.

She saw one subdivision sign that said something like : HEY GAWKERS, JUST REMEMBER THAT THESE ARE PEOPLE'S HOMES AND LIVES.

We were driving south on Schifferdecker to go back to the cabin and shower on Saturday before our 2nd shift and noticed a ton of people out sunbathing/partying at a little "lake" SW of Joplin. This was the 2nd worst tornado since 1953 and this is how they address it? There were easily 750 people out there, if not more.

Also saw: "For sale by owner, inquire out front" & "No littering"

You make a great point that I hadn't realized until now. The only people I met from Joplin who were helping were those who were directly impacted. I met people from all over(Wisconsin, South Dakota, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Indiana, Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, and one guy from New Mexico.

I found it odd that some people were working hard to restore order to their homes while others did little if anything to clean up. I even saw signs out front to stay away as it was private property. I respect that, but it's free help.

The owners of the Subway restaurants in SE Kansas got together and brought sandwiches out to us while we were working and I thought it was an awesome thing to do. My only complaint was that a guy giving away pulled pork sandwiches approached us about 10 minutes after I had finished my sandwich. Timing is everything.

One other thing if any of you volunteer. According to the Americorps folks, if you go to MSSU and register, then all of the hours you work will be reimbursed by FEMA to the City of Joplin. If you use a chainsaw, bobcat, or other tools, that's reflected in a different rate. There were just as many volunteers who went directly to the affected areas as there were people who registered. According to the figures I saw, if those folks had registered, that would have been a significant check payable to Joplin.

[Monty]

Originally Posted by gblowfish

I think this week is when the real work begins. The camera crews will all be gone, the spotlight off, and the actual rebuilding starts. It will be interesting to look at Joplin, say, by Labor Day, so see what progress has been made in the clean up and rebuilding process. I hope it exceeds all reasonable expectations.

This.

[Radar Chief]

Originally Posted by luv

Friend volunteered at one of the shelters. She said that out of everyone she checked in (volunteers) from all over the US, only three were from Joplin. And driving by the golf course, it was full, along with ladies coming out of boutiques and such. She said that she realized that not everyone suffered loss from the destruction, but she was just surprised at how many from Joplin weren't helping.

Maybe that’s because Jopliners already know where they need to be or are working on their own property. Not saying that is the case, just throwing it out as a possibility.
How do you know the golfers and boutique patrons were Jopliners? If people are coming from out of town and stimulating the economy I’d think that’s helping also.

[Rukdafaidas]

Originally Posted by Radar Chief

Maybe that’s because Jopliners already know where they need to be or are working on their own property. Not saying that is the case, just throwing it out as a possibility.
How do you know the golfers and boutique patrons were Jopliners? If people are coming from out of town and stimulating the economy I’d think that’s helping also.

This. Everyone I know is doing something. None of us have gone to a booth and registered, though.
I do think it's important for some of these people to take a break and do something to get their minds off of the disaster.

[luv]

Originally Posted by gblowfish

I think this week is when the real work begins. The camera crews will all be gone, the spotlight off, and the actual rebuilding starts. It will be interesting to look at Joplin, say, by Labor Day, so see what progress has been made in the clean up and rebuilding process. I hope it exceeds all reasonable expectations.

I plan to go volunteer. I am waiting a little bit for several reasons:

1. I have no specific skill, and I figure those who do are of more use right now.
2. I'm giving search and rescue longer, because I really don't think I would handle seeing death in person.
3. I'm waiting for the type of moment you described. When the hoopla has died down, and they needs hands as well as skills, then that's when I can be most useful.

[Bob Dole]

Originally Posted by Monty

We were driving south on Schifferdecker to go back to the cabin and shower on Saturday before our 2nd shift and noticed a ton of people out sunbathing/partying at a little "lake" SW of Joplin. This was the 2nd worst tornado since 1953 and this is how they address it? There were easily 750 people out there, if not more.

Bob Dole wouldn't be too rough on people trying to relax for a day. A solid week of disaster immersion earns a person the right to blow off a little steam before getting back after it.

[DMAC]

Originally Posted by Bob Dole

Bob Dole wouldn't be too rough on people trying to relax for a day. A solid week of disaster immersion earns a person the right to blow off a little steam before getting back after it.

Yes, they are allowed to still enjoy life on sunny days.

[Monty]

Originally Posted by Bob Dole

Bob Dole wouldn't be too rough on people trying to relax for a day. A solid week of disaster immersion earns a person the right to blow off a little steam before getting back after it.

Agreed, but it was quite the contrast from the affected area.

[Iowanian]

Life has to go on.

The people in and around Joplin(and every other disaster) have been living nothing but this storm since it happened. I'd guess they're entitled to relax, spend some time appreciating their own families and celebrating their lives.

[ShortRoundChief]

Originally Posted by Bob Dole

Bob Dole wouldn't be too rough on people trying to relax for a day. A solid week of disaster immersion earns a person the right to blow off a little steam before getting back after it.

This is probably the smartest thing I've ever heard.

[ShortRoundChief]

Originally Posted by Monty

Agreed, but it was quite the contrast from the affected area.

That's what we need. Children playing, family picnics, etc. Like I said I don't know anyone who hasn't done something. 9 days of pure misery should earn some amount of normalcy, no matter how little.

[luv]

Originally Posted by MotherLover

That's what we need. Children playing, family picnics, etc. Like I said I don't know anyone who hasn't done something. 9 days of pure misery should earn some amount of normalcy, no matter how little.

Just want to add that I didn't mean to offend anyone with my original post of the day. Just observations of a friend.

[MOhillbilly]

Originally Posted by luv

Just want to add that I didn't mean to offend anyone with my original post of the day. Just observations of a friend.

YOU ARE PISSIN US OFF!!!!

[ShortRoundChief]

Originally Posted by luv

Just want to add that I didn't mean to offend anyone with my original post of the day. Just observations of a friend.

I don't think you did.