How to help Joplin, MO Tornado Victims:

We touched on this subject on an earlier post but this is obviously worth reiterating.  Ways you can help the Tornado Victims in Joplin, Mo.

American Red Cross: You can donate $10 by texting JOPLIN to 90999 from your cell phone. Visit the website of the St. Louis Chapter of the American Red Cross to learn more ways to donate financially or other ways to help.

The website also allows Joplin survivors to post that they are “Safe and Well” to let family and friends know their condition. To check on a loved one’s condition, log on the American Red Cross website at www.redcross.org, then click on the "list yourself as safe and well" link which will provide information on how to find people registered on the list.

Volunteering: Missourians interested in volunteering to assist should first call 800-427-4626 or 2-1-1, instead of reporting directly to a command post or the disaster area. Those with medical skills interested in volunteering should visit the Show Me Response website from the state of Missouri.

City of Hazelwood: In a joint effort between the City of Hazelwood, Hazelwood Police Department and Hazelwood Fire Department, a disaster relief collection campaign has begun to give local residents and businesses an opportunity to donate items or cash. People are welcome to bring donated items and money contributions to the following drop-off locations:

• Hazelwood Police Department (City Hall), 415 Elm Grove Lane;
• Hazelwood Fire Station #1, 6100 N. Lindbergh Blvd.;
• Hazelwood Fire Station #2, 6800 Howdershell Road; and
• Degel Truck Center, 5480 Brown Road, Hazelwood.

Missouri State Emergency Management Agency: Visit the website for more information about how to donate to the relief effort, or call 800-427-4626 or 2-1-1.

Salvation Army: Send checks marked "Joplin" to P.O. Box 21787, St. Louis, MO 63109-0787 or donate online; you can designate the donation for Joplin relief.

Jewish Federation of St. Louis: Send payments designated for Joplin relief to 12 Millstone Campus Dr., St. Louis, MO. 63146. You can also donate online.

Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod: Mail checks (noting “Tornado Disaster Relief” in the memo line) to LCMS World Relief and Human Care, P.O. Box 66861, St. Louis, MO 63166-6861; or call toll-free 888-930-4438. Or donate online.

More ways to help the Tornado Victims are listed here.