Glenda m

My SIL lost an Uncle in the Shawnee tornado. As everyone is saying....Cash donations are needed most of all, first. Thanks to everyone here for any help they can give right now.

IBQUILTIN

My family is in Oklahoma, and the fear and dread you feel when you get those news reports is just aweful. I cannot imagine standing outside of what used to be a school and waiting to hear if my child or children are alive. All our prayers go out to all of Oklahoma and the areas hit by these devastating storms.

newbiequilter58

It's good to see that the board members around Moore are OK, as well as other areas in the state. We are fine around Barnsdall. Had one touch down about 10 miles away that went east instead of west towards us. Nonda, glad to see you are OK. I know the weather was pretty dicey for a while around your area. For people asking about donations, this is what is on the list from the OKgov website. I'm sure the need for clothing, blankets, etc will come soon as people are allowed back in areas to recover personal items and find housing.
I fully agree with others- the Red Cross, not on my list. I know they get the most publicity and the big donations like Kevin Durant gave, but other organizations spend more of the money they take in on the people who are in need. The Salvation Army is my first choice, and the Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief group is made up of volunteers from Baptist churches who travel to areas to assist in disaster relief, such as the Joplin and Alabama tornados, etc. Good group of people.
This is from the www.ok.gov/okstrong website:

[h=1]DONATION INFORMATION[/h]
OKSTRONG DISASTER RELIEF FUND

Governor Mary Fallin, in coordination with the United Way of Central Oklahoma, has established the OKStrong Disaster Relief Fund to assist with the long-term medical, emotional and educational needs of victims of the May 20 tornado in Moore and the May 19 tornado near Shawnee.

Donations for the long-term needs can be made by calling (405) 236-8441 or donating online at www.unitedwayokc.org.

DONATION OF SERVICES AND MATERIALS
Donation of services or materials from businesses (not cash donations), those should be directed to Keli Cain with the Oklahoma Dept. of Emergency Management at
Keli Cain
405-521-2481

RED CROSS
The Oklahoma Red Cross is asking people to donate by texting Red Cross to 90999 which will be a $10 donation, spokesman Ken Garcia said. Garcia said the donations allow the Red Cross purchase needed supplies.

Those who are looking for family members can visit www.safeandwell.org, Garcia said. Local Red Cross units will be dispatched throughout the damaged area.

SALVATION ARMY
The Salvation Army Arkansas-Oklahoma Division has dispatched disaster response teams.
Donations can be made to:

• The Salvation Army Disaster Relief, P.O. Box 12600, Oklahoma City, OK 73157. Designate Oklahoma Tornado Relief on all checks.
• Donate by phone: (800) 725-2769
• Donate online: donate.salvationarmyusa.org/uss/eds

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 rsponding charity.
Donations of items such as clothing and supplies are strongly discouraged.
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.

OKLAHOMA BAPTIST DISASTER RELIEF
With Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief teams already responding to severe weather from Sunday in several locations, including Shawnee, Edmond and Little Axe, Oklahoma Baptists are assisting with recovery efforts from the tornado that hit Moore.
Those interested in helping can make a tax-deductible donation to the BGCO's Disaster Relief ministry, by visiting www.bgco.org/donate or calling 942-3800. All money go toward disaster relief and helping victims. For photos, information and updates, visit the Oklahoma Baptists' blog at www.okdisasterhelp.com.

OKLAHOMA BLOOD INSTITUTE
Donors to the Oklahoma Blood Institute provide every drop of blood needed by patients in all metro-Oklahoma City hospitals and 140 others across the state. Presently, the state's blood supply is adequate to meet the needs of patients in all hospitals caring for victims of the Moore tornado. Since there is no substitute for blood, the supply constantly needs to be replenished. Anyone 16 years or older and in good health can generally donate blood. Those with O-negative and Rh-negative blood types are most needed.
Locations of donor centers and mobile blood drives can be found at www.obi.org.
Additionally, 10 casinos in the Oklahoma City metro area will host blood drives later this week:

• Riverwind Casino: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday
• Lucky Star Casino, Concho: 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday
• Sugar Creek Casino: 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday
• FireLake Bowling Center: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday
• Grand Casino: 1 to 6 p.m. Friday
• Lucky Star Casino, Clinton: 1 to 6 p.m. Friday
• Remington Park Racetrack & Casino: Noon to 5 p.m. Friday
• Kickapoo Casino: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
• Newcastle Casino: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday

UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
United Way of Central Oklahoma has activated its disaster relief fund, so individuals may give specifically to the May tornadoes relief and recovery efforts. Fund dollars will be distributed without administrative fees to United Way Partner Agencies working on the tornado relief efforts.
To donate, go to www.unitedwayokc.org or by mail to United Way of Central Oklahoma, P.O. Box 837, Oklahoma City, OK 73101 with notation for May Tornado Relief.
For more information, please contact Karla Bradshaw at (405) 235-3534.

FEED THE CHILDREN
Feed The Children has established five locations in Oklahoma City to accept donations that will aid victims of the Moore tornado.

• Feed The Children McCormick Distribution Center, 29 N. McCormick
• First Baptist Church, 1201 N. Robinson
• KOCO-TV, 1300 East Britton Road
• Faith Tabernacle Church, I-40 and Portland,
• TLC Garden Center, 105 West Memorial Road

Items that will be accepted at these locations are diapers, canned goods, non-perishable food and snack items, water and sports drinks. Cash donations are also welcome.

Feed The Children is coordinating with other organizations and with authorities to deliver disaster supplies as requests for aid are received. Water and lasagna has already been delivered to the American Red Cross and Salvation Army to help with hydration and meal preparation for first responders.

Cash donations to help with relief efforts can also be made by phone at 800-627-4556, online at www.feedthechildren.org/disaster, or by texting “DISASTER” to 80888.

TULSA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Tulsa Community Foundation, the nation's largest community foundation, has established the Moore & Shawnee Tornado Relief Fund. This fund has received a lead gift of $100,000 from George Kaiser Family Foundation. Contributions to the Moore & Shawnee Tornado Relief Fund can be made securely online at www.TulsaCF.org. Donations can also be mailed to TCF offices at:
7030 S Yale, Suite 600
Tulsa, OK, 74136

bea2

Thank you , newbiequilter, for the useful information. It helped me decide which one will get my donation.

Carol34446

Please, donate to others besides the Red cross, their head and others makes a really huge salary and much of what you give go for "expenses" where as salvation army have much lower costs and more get to the people who really need it. Sad to say, but I found this out a long time ago.

SewOK

Sorry you've had such a bad experience with the Red Cross. The Red Cross here in OKC is awesome. When DH and I were asked to leave our home due to natural gas problems, the Red Cross paid for us to live in a 2 bedroom townhouse for as long as we needed it no questions asked. The food they are serving at the disaster areas in Moore, OK is provided and cooked by the Oklahoma General Baptist Association's Disaster Relief Teams which are cooking up to 30,000 meals a day for the Red Cross, Salvation Army, etc. These meals are also provided to all of the disaster relief teams in the areas that have been hit. Some of our friends hit by the Sunday tornado have already had their power restored, thanks to teams of electrical workers from Tennessee. God is so good and there is no time for negativity here in OK. It is full steam ahead to donate and help where we can. There will be a time and place to criticize and complain at a later date.