Memorial Day 2013

Help Our Okie Friends

As most everyone knows by now, an EF5 tornado tore through several central Oklahoma counties and wreaked particular destruction on the town of Moore. The tornado was up to 1.3 miles wide at its largest point. The twister killed at least 24 people, including 9 children, and injured as many as 300 others. Early estimates put damages at up to $3 billion.

If you're wondering where you can donate to help, I suggest Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief. They're already in Oklahoma and know exactly what is needed after a tornado.

They were able to have teams in Moore the day after the tornado struck. To help all Oklahomans effected by the storms they've already deployed a mobile command center, a mobile kitchen and feeding units, chainsaw teams to help residents clear trees and debris, and chaplains to help victims with emotional trauma. Their volunteers also can provide water purification, mobile showers and laundry, mud-out, ash-out, child care, and medical assistance.

As a single-state nonprofit charity, Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief doesn't have the deep pockets of the national relief agencies that will (hopefully) begin to arrive in Oklahoma soon. They can use your help. Donations to them are fully tax deductible and 100% of your donation goes directly to helping the victims (not to salaries and bureaucracy).

You can donate online HERE or mail a check to:

BGCO
Attn: Disaster Relief
3800 N. May Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK 73112

In case anyone's wondering, I'm not advocating for these guys out of brand loyalty. I'm not a Baptist. They're just a good group.