Disaster relief for tornado victims in Moore, Oklahoma

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas -- Monday afternoon an EF 4 tornado packing approximately 200 mile-per-hour winds, cut a path approximately a mile and a half wide and over twenty miles long, through Oklahoma. The town of Moore was directly in its path, and was practically obliterated from the landscape. This morning the death toll has been revised down to 24. Rescue efforts continued through the night, and will intensify at dawn’s early light, as more rescue workers converge on the scene from neighboring states.

It you can’t fathom how wide a one-mile tornado is, ask the IRONMAN competitors how far the last one mile of the competition was. When you’re sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the freeway and your exit is one mile away, then you have a good idea of how wide the Moore, Oklahoma, tornado was.

Once again, Texans will dig deep down just like they did for West, Texas, and the recent Granbury tornado in Texas. More than likely there were residents of Moore, OK, who probably picked up their cell phones and sent a text to the Red Cross or Salvation Army when they saw the devastation from these two previous disasters. We now have the opportunity to pay it back.

Red Cross

The Red Cross has set up shelters, but said they’re still assessing the greatest needs. In the short term, they ask that you donate to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund by sending a text message. Text the word REDCROSS to 90999. As in the case with other donations via mobile phone, the donation will show up on your wireless bill. The Red Cross also suggests giving blood at a local hospital or the community blood bank. To donate online go to American Red Cross.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is organizing disaster response units to serve hard-hit areas in central Oklahoma, including Moore, where it is sending mobile kitchens that can serve meals to 2,500 people a day, and to South Oklahoma City.

Supporters can donate online via the organization's website at SalvationArmyUSA.org. You can also text the word STORM to 80888 to make a $10 donation via cellphone.

If you want to send a check, the Salvation Army asks that you put the words "Oklahoma Tornado Relief" on the check, and mail it to: The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 12600, Oklahoma City, OK., 73157. Phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769).

United Way of Central Oklahoma

A disaster relief fund is being activated as of May 21 so that individuals can specifically donated to tornado relief-and-recovery efforts. Their website states that the best way to help is to make financial contributions. Donations can be made online at United Way of Central Oklahoma’s Disaster Relief Fund is open. Checks, with a notation of "May Tornado Relief" can also be sent to the United Way of Central Oklahoma, P.O. Box 837, Oklahoma City, OK , 73101.

Feeding America

Through its network of more than 200 food banks, Feeding America, whose mission is to "feed America's hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks," will deliver truckloads of food, water and supplies to communities in in Oklahoma, and will also "set up additional emergency food and supply distribution sites as they are needed." Phone: 1-800-910-5524.

According to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, Texas is in the top 25 percent of states based on generosity. Reportedly Texans’ charitable contributions total more than $10 billion annually; third in the nation behind more populated areas of California and New York. Over 5 percent is donated per household, and the three major metropolitan areas of Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio, rank in the top 20 of the most generous cities.

Conroe Today, an affiliate of Woodlands Online, is working behind the scenes to find out what donations are most desperately needed. An update will be posted to the community online websites when the information is available and the logistics coordinated. Please stay tuned for updates. Once again, dig deep down in the heart of Texas, to help our neighbors who are in desperate need.