Thoughtful Thursday- Tornado Donations

*picture from HERE*

This week aside from the exciting Clockwork Prince cover reveal and the exciting HUGE giveaway I'll be posting about in a bit, I had a lot of other things planned, like reviews, other posts about book news and so forth, but none of that has happened, because I've become glued to the weather channel and talking to friends and family members who have been effected about the latest rounds of deadly tornados that have struck the midwest.

My heart always goes out to those who are effected by heartbreaking disasters like this, but now it's hit close to home. This time it was my family and who are sat horrified as we heard about the F5 tornado that ripped through Joplin, MO where my father in law, his wife, their teenage girls and my sister in law and her family live. Miraculously they all walked away okay, though they have lost everything. I've been itching to drive up there to do something, to hand out water, to help in the search and rescue efforts, to hand out food, anything. It makes me feel guilty that I'm sitting in my home while so many people have just lost theirs. While my in laws are safe, there are so many people who have lost loved ones, their children, their parents, their siblings, friends, spouses, neighbors etc. The pictures from there are stunning. This is just one of the many sites where you can these unimaginable pictures and hear the heartbreaking stories of those who survived this tornado.

It's amazing at how people quickly come to together to help those in times like this. I wanted to provide a list of sites and places people can donate to.

* One of the easiest things you can do is TEXT REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 on via your cell phone. This charge will show up on your bill and you will be asked to verify the text before you're charged. I've personally done this.

* Contributions can be sent to the local American Red Cross chapter at:

Greater Ozarks Chapter, American Red Cross

1545 N. West ByPass

Springfield, MO 65803

Donations can also be made with a credit card or check over the phone by calling 417-832-9500.

* The Salvation Army- text the word Joplin to 80888 to donate $10 or call 1-800-Sal-Army (1-800-725-2769)

* Heart of Missouri United Way- text JOPLINN to 864833 to donate $10 or call 573-443-4523

* Humane Society of Missouri- text SAVEPETS to 20222 to donate $10 to help the animal rescue efforts in Joplin

You can find out more ways to give by visit MO.GOV. There is also a need for blood donations. If you live near Joplin and want to donate blood, please go here to find out more information.

The Joplin Tornado Info page has recently posted about two donation drop off places-

The Bridge
3405 Hammons Blvd.
Joplin
64804
(equipped to handle semi-truck loads)

Solace
1601 S Main
Joplin
64804
(mailed/shipped items also accepted)

Another really helpful site for those in the Joplin area and those who want to help is the Joplin Tornado Info page on facebook. There are a lot of sites out there with information to help those in Joplin and in all the areas that have been effected by these destructive and deadly storms in MO, AL, OK, KS, TN, MS and the list goes on and on. Even donating a $1 is a huge help. If you're unable to do that, keeping those who have been effective by the storms, and those there helping in your throughs and prayers goes a long way.