Contributions are vital to the recovery effort in Oklahoma after a deadly tornado cut through the state Monday afternoon and killed at least 24 people.
Initial reports suggested there were more than 50 fatalities, but that number was revised down to 24 Tuesday morning. The toll is expected to rise as the day goes on.
“Honestly, your contributions are the best way to help because it gets us the material we need for right here,” Dan Halyburton, a Red Cross volunteer, said Tuesday on Morning Joe.
Contributions will assist with the logistical effort to buy supplies, materials, diesel for emergency vehicles, and food for responders helping victims of the tornado that had winds of 166 to 200 mph.
American Red Cross
Donate to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund here or give blood at a local hospital or blood bank.
Send $10 to the Disaster Relief fund by texting “REDCROSS” to 90999 or by visiting the website at RedCross.org.
Phone: 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767); for Spanish speakers, 1-800-257-7575; for TDD, 1-800-220-4095
AmeriCares
AmeriCares delivers medicines, medical supplies, and aid to people in need across the United States and around the world. Their emergency response team is in Oklahoma coordinating deliveries of emergency aid and assessing the needs of survivors and health care organizations in the disaster area.
You can help by donating through the organization’s website, calling 1-800-486-HELP, or texting “LIVE” to 25383 to make a $10 donation.
Please mail your check or money order to: AmeriCares, 88 Hamilton Ave., Stamford, CT 06902
Feeding America
For every dollar donated, Feeding America provides eight meals to families facing hunger.
Donate here to help the organization deliver truckloads of food and water supplies to the affected Oklahoma communities.
Phone: 1-800-771-2303
Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief
Monetary donations are the best way to help, according to its website. You can make a one-time or monthly contribution to aid in the Disaster Relief efforts by donating online or by mailing a check to: BGCO, Attn: Disaster Relief, 3800 N. May Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73112.
They are currently not taking clothing donations.
Operation USA
Operation USA is an international relief agency that helps communities at home and abroad overcome the effects of disasters, disease, and endemic poverty by providing privately-funded relief, reconstruction, and development aid.
Donate here or give a $10 donation by texting the word “AID” to 50555.
Checks should be sent to: Operation USA, 7421 Beverly Blvd., PH, Los Angeles, CA 90036.
Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma
The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma asks that the public support all rescue, recovery, and disaster relief efforts with donations of cash to your favorite responding charity.
Click here to make a donation online or text “FOOD” to 32333. Each text is $10 charged to your phone bill.
Donations of items such as clothing and supplies are strongly discouraged.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is currently organizing disaster response units to serve the hard-hit areas in Oklahoma. Supporters are encouraged to give online or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769).
You can also text the word “STORM” to 80888 to make a $10 donation through your mobile phone; to confirm your gift, respond with the word “Yes.”
Donate to the Oklahoma Tornado Relief by mailing a check to: The Salvation Army, PO Box 12600, Oklahoma City, OK 73157.
United Way of Central Oklahoma
The organization advises that monetary donations are the best way to help. Fund dollars will be distributed without administrative fees to United Way Partner Agencies working on the tornado relief efforts.
Donations may be made online at www.unitedwayokc.org or by mail to: United Way of Central Oklahoma, P.O. Box 837, Oklahoma City, OK 73101 with notation for May Tornado Relief.
Samaritan’s Purse
The international Christian relief organization will provide emergency assistance as well as cleaning and repairing damaged homes.
Donations to help victims can be made at samaritanspurse.org.
Michele Richinick