Oklahoma Strong

                                                                      

A few weeks ago I wrote a post about when “Chris,” I and our co-workers were sent into the basement of the building next door due to possible tornadoes. Yes, it was scary considering the text messages I was getting from my mom “touch down near the air port,” (well, it’s more of a landing strip where the 2 or 3 flights a day are delayed or cancelled) or worrying because I hadn’t heard from my brother. Turns out he was stuck in the bathroom at his job with co-workers, playing cards and drinking coffee. But there wasn’t much to worry about since the tornadoes that hit weren’t very powerful and didn’t cause much damage. Plus, the goofing off with co-workers really helped to calm the nerves.

But that’s life in Oklahoma. The tornado sirens go off and we immediately stand outside to check for funnel rotations or switch on the news. We figure out how we’re going to go about our day based on what the almighty weather man (sometimes his crystal ball gets it right but most of the time it's wrong) tells us, like if we’re under a tornado watch or a warning. A big majority of the time the tornado warning just turns out to be a severe thunderstorm so we take some pictures and move on with our lives.

Until yesterday.  

The devastating tornado that hit Moore on May 20, 2013 is every Okie’s nightmare. I honestly didn’t grasp the severity of the situation until my family in Germany started sending Facebook messages and text messages making sure we were ok. Even my dad and step-mom who lived in Oklahoma for many years were calling and texting, checking on us. That’s when I turned on the news and found out just how destructive this tornado was. I was still getting concerned text messages after Lawton was declared to be in the safe zone of the passing storm.  

I’m usually the first to loudly voice my dislike for Oklahoma. Too be fair my complaints are mostly about the extreme heat in the summer time and this fat girl does not do well in heat. However, after witnessing the over whelming outpour of support immediately after the tornado hit has made me so proud to be an Oklahoman. Friends and neighbors helping each other, local universities opening their dorms to those needing shelter and local agencies like the American Red Cross and Salvation Army not only providing assistance but also providing emergency classes to get new volunteers trained immediately for disaster assistance is just amazing. Even celebrities (Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder donated $1 million from his family foundation to help those affected) and people through out the country are trying to find ways to help those affected by either having a donation drive or donating money, every little bit helps.

We are Okies and we will get through this together.

                                                               

If you want to help you can make monetary directly to the American Red Cross by texting REDCROSS to 90999. My understanding is that this type of donation will go into a disaster relief fund so some of the funding will go towards helping with disaster relief in Moore and New Castle, Oklahoma and the rest will go towards future disasters in other areas around the country.

If you want your donations to go directly towards helping those affected by the tornado that hit in Moore, OK you can call the local chapter in Oklahoma City, OK by calling 405-228-9500 or mail your donation to:

The American Red Cross

Central Oklahoma Office

601 NE 6

Oklahoma City, OK 73104

OK Strong Disaster Relief

This is set up with the state of Oklahoma and United Way of Central Oklahoma. They are setting up long-term medical, emotional and educational needs of victims of the May 20, 2013 tornado.

Donations can be made online at www.unitedwayokc.org

Or via phone 405-236-8441

You can also donate $10 to help the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma by texting FOOD to 32333.

Salvation Army

They are sending out mobile kitchens that can serve meals to 2,500 meals a day. Donations can be made online at Salvation Army or $10 by texting STORM to 80888.

There are so many more organizations to choose from if you would like to help. Just check out this website and I think it’s pretty nifty that you can text monetary donations. Also, check out the American Red Cross chapters and Salvation Army in your local area as they may also have donation drives going on.

 Kind of awkward that she had to ask the news reporter for help to get the dog free but super heart warming. Especially when she says that her two prayers were answered after the dog was found.