Everyone Can Help Joplin

As a caregiver with my own health problems, I am unable to travel to help the victims of the Joplin tornado disaster. I cannot login to Facebook, Twitter or turn on the television without a reminder of how utterly devasting the storm was to that city, and my inability to contribute has me feeling guilty. That's as truthful a statement as I can possibly say.   

I am, however, in complete awe at the love and support humanity is showing Joplin. The sheer mass of the "every man" stepping up to volunteer to search, clear and rebuild is nothing short of inspiring. Of course, as with most large disasters, celebrities also step up.

The Cardinals and their AA affiliate, the Springfield Cardinals, made a $25,000 donation to assist families. Sprint made a $100,000 donation to the tornado relief. The Kansas City Chiefs responded with a $35,000 donation and organized a bottled-water drive at a local stadium. The Duggar family, of the TLC show 19 Kids & Counting, packed up supplies and drove overnight from Arkansas to be of assistance.  

The Indiana Colts held a "drive-through effort" to collect water, diapers and other donations at their football center.  The night before, on Saturday, Taylor Swift held a fundraiser with a fee for people to see her rehearsal with the intention of raising money for flood and tornado victims.  It was decided on Sunday that the total $750,000 was also to go to Joplin.

With all of the help that is already going on, you may be asking yourself what you can do to help. There are a few simple things that can mean so much:

• Help the search for missing animals, and reunite them with their "parents."  Donations of money and supplies be made to the Joplin Humane Society. 
• Information about donating or volunteering: dialing 211, or (800) 427-4626 or visiting http://www.211missouri.org/
• Habitat for Humanity is accepting donations of blankets, water, nonperishable food, and medical supplies. They are also accepting pet food and crates.
• The Salvation Army also needs extra hands, but is accepting donations online at: www.donate.salvationarmyusa.org over the phone at 1-800-SAL-ARMY or by texting the word "Joplin" to 80888 to make a $10 donation.

If none of these things are an option for you, you can also give blood. The American Red Cross Donor Center at the Mid Rivers Mall hosts a blood drive daily. For further information, visit http://www.redcrossblood.org/make-donation.

If you are unable to help at this time, Joplin will continue to need assistance in the weeks to come. The primary focus at this time is to search for the missing people and pets, and to clear away debris, but very soon it will be time to rebuild. Some of us are not able to drop our lives and travel immediately, no matter how badly we wish we could. Help will continue to be needed. Perhaps over this holiday weekend, or the following week, your plans will be able to be in order to travel and offer your assistance.  

In the meantime, the families of Joplin, MO, affected by the single deadliest tornado in our country's history are in my thoughts and prayers.