Join together to help Joplin

On Sunday, May 22, a tornado struck Joplin, MO, destroying the town and killing at least 89 people. The tornado was nearly a mile wide and shelters were few and far between. The Joplin community needs help now. Remember: All it takes is one girl to make a difference. Here are 4 ways you can help the survivors of tornado-ravaged Joplin.

 

Raise funds. Gather your classmates or a group of friends and have partners visit local businesses. Ask owners to offer or match donations raised by your school class or your group. One of our favorite non-profit organizations that provide immediate disaster relief is Convoy of Hope. Click here for fundraising ideas.

 

Collect donations. The Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce has created a list of immediate needs, which includes first aid kits, toiletries, water bottles, blankets and nonperishable canned goods. Put out a box for donations at your school, community center or church and inform members that you’re collecting goods to help tornado victims. Click here for more details, including where you can send donations.

 

Start a texting drive. Speak to local business owners—we recommend the managers at a nearby grocery store or coffee shop—and see if they would mind you urging customers to use their cell phones to donate money to relief efforts. They can text the Red Cross at 90999 to donate $10 to the cause. The donation is charged to their phone bill. For more details, click here.

 

Encourage your family members to give blood. While chances are you’re probably not old enough to give blood yourself (in most states, you need to be 17 or 16 with parental consent in addition to other requirements), your parents, teachers and fellow community members are. Urge your school to host a blood drive, and do your best to spread the word. Click here to visit redcross.org for more information.

 

What are you doing to help, sweeties?

 

Photo pictured above is of wreckage on April 22, 2011, after tornadoes struck the St. Louis, MO, area. Credit: R. Gino Santa Maria / Shutterstock.com

POSTED IN ,

by Brittany Taylor | 2/1/2016
share