Hope is Still on The Horizon for Oklahoma
By: Gina Onori
After 24 confirmed deaths, including nine children, the 2 mile wide tornado in Oklahoma was an utter shock and disaster. Due to the storm, many people felt the ripple effects via homelessness, emotional distress, and other stressful situations. Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin said Tuesday the damage from the tornado that ripped through her state is bigger than anything she’s seen in her 23 years in office.
Yet hope is still on the horizon. There are many actions that the community can take to salvage the lives of those affected. The Salvation Army is accepting cash donations that will assist to provide food, water, ice and other supplies. The Salvation Army is also providing emotional and spiritual comfort to those in distress. Donors are encouraged to give online at www.SalvationArmyUSA.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1800-725-2769). You can also text the word “STORM” to 8088 to make a $10 donation through your mobile phone; to confirm your gift, respond with the word “Yes.”
Another organization helping those in need is Southern Baptist Church. You may contribute money online at www.namb.net/disaster-relief-donations/ or donate by phone at 1-866-407-NAMB (6262). Checks can be mailed to NAMB, P.O. Box 116543, Atlanta, GA 30368-6543. Designate checks for “Disaster Relief”. Christian individuals who are active members of a local Southern Baptist Church, in good physical condition, and at least 18 years of age, may attend a training session and join the Disaster Relief Team. Volunteers assist wherever needed in the following areas of service: damage assessment, chain saw, mud-out removal, child care, water purification, and medical reserve crops. Training sessions are held several times a year across the state; locations and times can be found at www.bgco.org/ministries/disaster-relief.
As for disaster relief agency Operation USA, they are providing emergency aid where needed to community-based health organizations across the destroyed state. Donations are being accepted at www.opusa.org/contribute, by phone at 1-800-678-7255, or by check made out to Operation USA, 7421 Beverly Blvd., PH, Los Angeles, CA 90036. You can also support victims by texting “AID” to 50555 to make a $10 contribution through their company. Corporate donations of bulk quantities of disaster appropriate supplies are also being requested.
Although many lives were lost and thousands of people were affected by this disaster, there is still hope that we can put the pieces back together. However, the community needs to come together one by one to form a whole and help Oklahoma through their struggle; it starts with you.
