Locals help Oklahoma victims, those at home
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| Just a few of the 800 pounds of clothing donated by area residents to benefit the victims of this season's Oklahoma tornadoes. What wasn't needed in Oklahoma will help people right here in our own community. |
As most of you know, Oklahoma was struck hard the end of May by a series of tornados that ravished the area. As I sat watching the news, I decided to take up a collection within the community to help those who at the time were unable to help themselves.
I reached out to family, friends and neighbors for donations, then reached out via social media.
The response I received was overwhelming.
This was not my first go round at this and this time I was much more prepared.
During the Earthquake in Haiti, I reached out to others to help their fellow humans.
I received donations ranging in preemie clothes to bath towels and everywhere in the middle.
What started as a stack in my living room quickly grew to overtake a whole wall of my husband's shop.
This time, my shipping date of the middle of June grew farther and farther out due to the response I received. I had phone calls for donation pick up coming from Libby, Montana, to Sagle.
Once I received the first donation, I was on a mission to find a person to receive these gifts, and was very lucky to do so at Trinity Lutheran Church in Oklahoma City.
Pastor Paul W. Sundberg will be receiving the items and distributing them through out the tornado stricken area.
The need for clothing and such items as time has passed was not as great as I had hoped, I was able to send close to 500 pounds of clothing and items to Oklahoma.
I then looked within our own community that was so willing to help others to find a need, and I found it at the court house at Boundary County Victims Services.
When I spoke with Becky, who said that they had been discussing how to fill the the need for clothing for people who could not afford or were unable to obtain clothing for court. Any items that were not used for that purpose will be used for victims of domestic violence or various other issues, people who may not have access to clothes.
So not only were the kind hearted and generous people of our community able to help those who were in need in Oklahoma, but also those who may not be noticed right here within our own community.