Disaster Relief for Joplin Tornado Victims

Although Joplin, Missouri is still in the midst of recovering from the devastating tornado that hit May 22nd, they are not forgotten. Many organizations, businesses, and individuals right here in the St. Louis area continue to reaching out and offer help to those still in need. Below are some of the different ways that you too can help.

The Recorders Association of Missouri has established collections for Joplin tornado victims. The City Recorder and Registrar Office - Room 126, City Hall - is a collection point for disposable baby diapers, canned fruit, personal hygiene products, household cleaning supplies, and monetary donations. All the information you need can be found at www.stlouiscityrecorder.org.

The Missouri Association of Area Agencies on Aging has launched “ Join With Joplin”, a program designed to raise funds to assist seniors displaced or injured in the recent Joplin tornado. Funds will be used for food, housing, medical care and for the provision of everyday living items. Individuals or organizations can contribute online or by mail - check out www.ma4web.org for more information.

The St. Louis Cardinals in conjunction with the Springfield Cardinals pledged to make a $25,000 donation to Convoy of Hope for Joplin. You can add to that by donating online at www.convoyofhope.org or you can make a
$10 donation by texting the word CONVOY to 50555 from your cell phone.

The University of Missouri is offering a helping hand by selling t-shirts to benefit Joplin relief. The shirts read “One State. One Spirit. One Mizzou.” and are available for purchase at the MU Official Online Store - www.MUtigers.com. Proceeds from this sale will go to Heart of Missouri United Way - United For Joplin.

If you have kids, they can likely bring a donation to their school. Missouri education officials are urging students to quickly raise money to help students in Joplin in a fundraising campaign called “Missouri Kids Helping Missouri Kids.” The goal of the program is to have each of Missouri’s nearly one million students donate $1 each. Call the office to find out if your school is participating.

The Red Cross is still accepting monetary donations as well at www.redcross.org or by phone if you call 1-800-RED-CROSS. Even if you're short on funds, one of the most useful ways to help disaster victims of all kinds is to donate blood. Make an appointment online at www.redcrossblood.org.


DONATING TO JOPLIN EFFORT:

Immediate help can be given by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY or by going to www.SalvationArmyUSA.org to make a donation by credit card. Checks may be mailed to The Salvation Army, PO Box 21787, St. Louis, MO 63109. Please designate the gift “Joplin Tornado.” Cell phone users may also text the word JOPLIN to 80888 to make a $10 donation

The Salvation Army, an international organization, has been supporting those in need without discrimination for 130 years in Missouri. Nearly 350,000 people throughout Missouri and Southern Illinois receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar spent is used to carry out those services throughout the region. For more information, go to www.stl-salvationarmy.org.