13 - May 20th Oklahoma Tornado Donation Assistance Guide - Workology

Updated 5/28/13 - May 20th Oklahoma Tornado Donation Assistance Guide - Workology Oklahoma and Moore Tornado Assistance Guide *This post was updated last at 5:07 PM CST on 5/29/13. My goal is to provide at least 2 updates per day going forward as new information and resources become available to me. Follow the Twitter hash tag, #mooreisok for specific updates and changes to blog. May 20th Oklahoma Tornado Forever Changed Me If youve been following me on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook, you know that Ive been posting live updates and information as I am aware  in relation to the devastating tornado in Moore, Oklahoma on May 20th, 2013. My house is 1 block from all the damage, and this morning (5/22/13) I was able to leave my house for the first time in 2 days. Since I am so close to ground zero, I have been helping in any way I can using my mobile phone to drive information and assistance. Yesterday, with the help of Blake, my community manager, I was able to blog about the events in Surviving Moore. To understand how large the  devastation  really was and the large path of the tornado, you can click to view Googles Crisis Map.  Having just been able to drive my car through most of the affected areas, it hurts my heart. I often cant tell what street I am on as their are no street signs or landmarks that would help me recognize. My daughter, who is 4 has seen the damage as we drove her to school. She told me that the tornado ate houses and after it was done, pooped everywhere including our yard. I think its an accurate description of what happened especially from a 4 year old. Its unreal. Today (5/22/13) was the first day we have been able to leave our home and I was able to see how close me and my family came to loosing our lives and our belongings. Its likely that our storage unit we had just down the street and everything in it is gone, but I am very lucky. (*Update 5/24/13 Our storage unit at SecureCare just east of 4th and Santa Fe is leveled. Not all storage units are damaged. SecureCare is letting in persons tomorrow, Friday, 5/25/13 starting at 7:00 AM until 8:00 PM.) For those of you who are not in Moore and are looking to do something that will directly impact those who have been affected, please see the information below. For those of you who are looking for information or contact information in relation to the storm, donations and assistance, my friend Carrie Corbin has compiled a stellar list. Ive updated to reflect what I know and will continue to make additions and updates as more information is available. Please feel free to leave a comment and share your own information or assistance in the comments and I will update for you. Oklahoma and Moore Tornado Assistance Guide LIFE ESSENTIALS (Important Updates for Residents)   30 Days Free Storage. U-Haul is offering tornado victims 30 days of free storage at this U-Haul location: 7525 SE 29th Street, Midwest City, OK 73110 or call (800) 522-4236.   Free Call Text Message Service to Victims.  Tornado victims might be lost without their smartphone to be able to communicate or are worried about the cost of service especially if they are taking unpaid time off work to clean up their homes. Click here for information about CallMultiplier and the services they are offering. Ice and Water Available. Ice available for residents at Southgate Baptist Church 740 SW 4th St. Moore, OK or Phone: (405) 799-8889. Deliveries into neighborhoods are trying to be coordinated. City recommends you dont wait for delivery. Bring your ice chest to church. Available each day going forward during recovery and at no charge. Access to Birth Records.  Emergency access to birth records and important documents is available at no cost. Fees are waived and will remain in effect until June 30, 2013. Storm victims can apply for birth or death certificates at the Oklahoma State Department of Health office at 1000 Northeast Tenth Street in Oklahoma City.  Information by clicking here. HUD Offers Homeowners Foreclosure Protection for 90 days.  Click here  for information or call  1-800-CALL-FHA to see if your home is FHA insured. Free Laundry Service. Tide is set up in the Wal-Mart parking lots on 19th street and Telephone offering free laundry services to tornado victims Cell phone charging stations are set up in the parking lots of the Moore Home Depot also at 19th and Telephone Getting Around Moore Oklahoma City.  As of 5/23/13, Telephone Road has reopened between 4th and 19th streets. 4th street is also open but Santa Fe is closed between 4th and 19th streets. Food is available to residents and volunteers at Operation BBQ Relief. Check on their Facebook Page for updates on current locations and distribution times. As of 5/23/13, food is being served at  Hillsdale Baptist College at 3701 S. Frontage Road, Moore, OK 73160 or call  (405) 625-2462. Mail Service.  The Moore OK Post Office Branch, servicing ZIP Codes 73153 and 73160 sustained heavy damage Monday and the employees have been relocated. The letter carriers from Moore Branch are temporarily housed at the Airport Finance Unit located at 6500 Air Cargo Rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73195. Beginning, 5/23/13,  Letter carriers for both Santa Fe and Moore will attempt delivery where possible.  Customers that cannot receive mail at their residence in the impacted ZIP Codes of 73153 and 73160 may pick their mail up from 10:00 a.m. â€" 4:00 p.m. at the Airport Finance Unit (AFU). Impacted customers in ZIP Code 73170 can pick up their mail from 10:00 a.m. â€" 4:00 p.m. at Santa Fe.  Customers are required to provide their delivery address and a valid photo ID in order to pick up their mail. Nearby retail services are available at Penn 89 Station located at 9201 South Penn and are also available at the AFU. Click here to read the USPS press release. For Pet Owners Wanting Temporary Housing. La Quinta Inns and Suites allows pets in their hotel rooms. Nearby locations:  La Quinta Inn Suites  2140 Riverwalk Dr.  Moore, OK  73160  Phone: 1-405-759-7700  La Quinta Inn  Oklahoma City Del City  5501 Tinker Diagonal  Del City, OK  73115-4613  Phone: 1-405-672-0067 Short Term Rental Rooms Homes.  Go to AirBnB.com. Download their mobile app. Some very affordable homes, rooms and options in the surrounding areas. I also encourage renters or home owners to have available rooms to list them here. Much more reliable than Craigslist and less likely to be scams List of Where Emergency Aid Stations Food Are.  This page is updated for those who are looking for Red Cross assistance, food and where the stations, trucks and aid will be. Click here. Photo and Personal Items Found Dropoff.  Amy Innovations in Moore is collecting cleaning photos found in the rubble.  Studio Innovations address is  201 N. Broadway, Suite #104  Moore, OK 73160  (Inside the Moore Old School building), Phone  405-626-3686. They also have Facebook Fan Page Unemployed or Unable to Work? Disaster Underemployed Assistance Program is available for those small business owners or workers who are unemployed because of the tornado. You can file a claim by calling  OESC Unemployment Insurance Service Center at 1-800-555-1554 at  Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to begin the claim process.  More information can be found by clicking here. Access the OESC website. Oklahoma Resources for Business Owners. From the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, you can connect with members, pool resources and ask for assistance by clicking here. Housing, Utilities and Other Finance Resources. The Oklahoma Housing Authority is offering financial assistance with rent, utilities, hotel rooms and other home deposits. There are no income limits or requirements but you must have registered with FEMA (FEMA details listed below) Call 405- 419-8196  or visit their Facebook Page. Steps to Take if Denied FEMA. FEMA denials are happening most often because persons are not providing the correct documentation. Read your denial letter carefully.  Individuals can also resolve the problem at 800-621-3362 or a twww.disasterassistance.gov. Resources Information for Oklahoma and Moore Tornado Victims HOUSING (subject to change quickly) 4-6 houses ready to move in for anyone that is displaced. Let anyone you know to call 405-801-2293 we can get people moved in today. I know this is a tough time and we want to be available to help if you cant get through or its after hours please call cell 405-209-5379 The Greens at Norman has immediate availability for all tornado victims. We are furnishing several apartments specifically for those that have lost everything. Please let everyone know!! We dont want to sit in vacancy while people go without homes! Remington Apartments in OKC are giving away free apartments for the people who lost their homes!! 125 South Santa Fe Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73139(405) 634-2428 Short Term Rental Rooms Homes.  Go to  AirBnB.com.  Download their mobile app. Some very affordable homes, rooms and options in the surrounding areas. I also encourage renters or home owners to have available rooms to list them here. Much more reliable than Craigslist and less likely to be scams Temporary Housing Listing in Metro. Great resource for those looking for temporary housing with a wide variety of types of homes available. Click here or visit the Facebook Group. HUD Offers Homeowners Foreclosure Protection for 90 days. Click here for information or call  1-800-CALL-FHA to see if your home is FHA insured. Housing Grant up to $2,000 per Household Available.  Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency announced today the availability of grants for families impacted by tornadoes in Oklahoma in 2013. The grants, capped at $2,000 per household, may be used for housing related expenses including utility deposits, security deposits, hotel rooms and first month’s rent. There is no income limit attached to the grants.Call (405) 419-8196. Housing, Utilities and Other Finance Resources.  The Oklahoma Housing Authority is offering financial assistance with rent, utilities, hotel rooms and other home deposits. There are no income limits or requirements but you must have registered with FEMA (FEMA details listed below) Call 405-  419-8196  or visit their  Facebook Page. The  Single Parent Support Network  is  offering single parents housing which includes first month rent free. They are also providing some furniture and furnishings.Visit their website for more details. EMPLOYMENT   Disaster Underemployed Assistance Program is available for those small business owners or workers who are unemployed due to the tornados. You can file a claim by calling  OESC Unemployment Insurance Service Center at 1-800-555-1554 at  Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to begin the claim process.  More information can be found by  clicking here. Access the  OESC website.   FUNERAL SERVICES West Haven Memorial Gardens is offering free burial and service Primrose Funeral Home in Norman is offering free burial and service PRICE GAUGING Sadly, I have already heard from friends of this  occurring. Know your rights and who to contact. From the Oklahoma Attorney General: If you experience price gouging w/ car rental, hotels or apartments, call the AGs Office immediately at (405) 521-2029. RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS FEMA: 1-800-621-FEMA, visit  their Facebook Page, how to get involved including  fantastic tips  and the  FEMA website. The FEMA site has a robust mobile version to so you can sign up there directly and not have to wait on hold. Assistance for FEMA Denials FEMA denials are happening most often because persons are not providing the correct documentation.    Read your denial letter carefully.  Individuals can also resolve the problem at 800-621-3362 or a twww.disasterassistance.gov. REGIONAL FOOD BANK (more cost effective to donate cash than food).  Text FOOD to 32333 to donate $10, visit  their website  or  their Facebook Page. RED CROSS (have shelters are also working to provide food and supplies to first responders).  THEY DO NOT NEED ANY MORE PHYSICAL DONATIONS.  Text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10.00 (provides food, shelter, and emotional support services),  1-800-REDCROSS. To find a location or make an appointment to give blood near you in or outside of Oklahoma visit their website by  clicking here. Check out the  RedCross Facebook Page.  If youd like to donate directly to  Red Cross Oklahoma Disaster Relief  visit their website.   SALVATION ARMY.  Text STORM to 80888 to donate $10.00,  their website to donate  in Oklahoma and check out their  Facebook Page. CHRISTMAS CONNECTION:    (405) 634-2006 5728 S May OKC-closed toe shoes, lace up shoes, NO SANDALS, household items (dishes, small appliances, etc), hand sanitizer, wipes, work gloves, toiletries, Check out their  Facebook Page. OKLAHOMA BAPTIST DISASTER RELIEF: Monetary Donations only,  National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (provides listing of organizations who are helping).  Click to visit their website. SOCIAL MEDIA RESOURCES AND COMMUNITIES Moore Tornado Relief Facebook Page Group Moore Oklahoma Tornado Volunteers  (this is another great page for centralized information) Group to Return Photos Found From the Moore Oklahoma Tornados Facebook Page just for Pottawatomie and Lincoln county volunteers and those affected by  clicking here Facebook Group for Moore Tornado Volunteers Moore Giving Tree Facebook Page. Look for families posting specific items they need so you can donate directly to them. Disaster Relief for Moore, Oklahoma Facebook Page Oklahoma Housing Tornado Help Facebook Page LISTS OF SHELTERS: Visit News 9s website which has a comprehensive list by  clicking here Chabad Community Center of Southern Oklahoma just opened their doors on 5/22/13 to accept individuals. Click here for more information PETS ANIMALS (supplies needed here too for shelters) https://www.facebook.com/okhumane https://www.facebook.com/PORC247 https://www.facebook.com/animalresourcecenter Lost Pets: www.okclostpets.com Facebook Group for Lost Found Pets Home Depot (Moore) is helping with animal rescue (405) 895-6064 Other donation items for pets: Crates and Kennels are also needed and can be dropped off at:  1)  Cleveland County Fairgrounds at 615 E Robinson St  2)  Norman Animal Shelter at 3428 S. Jenkins Ave  3)  http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/how-to-help-animals-affected-by-the-oklahoma-tornado?WT.z_mod=HPDL  4)  Second Chance Animal Shelter 4500 24th Ave NW Norman, OK 73069 (405)321-1915 for Fostering (360) 201-6222- NEEDS: Purina One Lamb and Rice, Purina One Puppy, Purina Cat and Non-Clumping litter  5)  Horse Donations (623)776-3533 Displaced horses can be temporarily housed with Yvette Fees. Contact her at 405.589.0833 or email at yvettefees@alo.com How You Can Help Moore Oklahoma Tornado Victims VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Moore Recovers   OK Strong   Lead and Volunteer  (OU Site) United Way Volunteer Center   Serve Moore Other volunteer efforts: www.teamrubiconusa.org Samaritans Purse (Granbury TX deploying efforts to Oklahoma) http://spvolunteernetwork.org/projects/oklahoma-tornado-response.aspx LOOKING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS PETS   For family friends use  Safe and Well   For pets use  OKCLostPets.com MONETARY DONATIONS Just a reminder that CASH is always the most cost-effective way of donating through an established organization (either directly through a formal organizations website or via a text donation) because the food banks and other non-profits can purchase items tax-free at reduced rates and can provide entire meals for less than what we can donate and you also ensure that people who actually need the help, receive it. AGENCIES PROVIDING RESOURCES FOR SPECIFIC FAMILIES   There are a number of agencies that assist with providing families items or donations. National Disaster Adoptions.  This is not an official non-profit but provides individuals who are looking to help others with a way to adopt those who have qualified for FEMA. Visit their Facebook Group.   DONATING TO INDIVIDUALS Personal Fundraising. Contact Mary Yap at mary@crowdtilt.com. They are waiving all credit card fees and can help get national donations for supplies or for local church/organization relief efforts as well. http://bit.ly/FundraiseForOklahoma. You are welcome to list your  individual  fundraising campaign in the comments section. I will update them as I learn of more as well. DONATING BLOOD   The blood banks are asking that you begin to schedule donations for July and into the fall. The response has been overwhelming for them.  Oklahoma Blood Institute: www.obi.org (405)-278-3100-Wants blood donations later in the week call for times. Red Cross: To find a location or make an appointment to give blood near you in or outside of Oklahoma: www.redcrossblood.org/make-donation. ALL OTHER DONATIONS: (SEE EXTENSIVE LIST BELOW)   Most organizations are requesting specific items to be donated and do not want to be the place just for everyone’s cast off items that would end up in a garage sale or thrift shop.  Please call ahead before donating if you do not know the specific items that are needed. FUNDRAISERS My friend Leslie Spears has a nice list of fundraisers and events happening in the OKC Metro to benefit the tornado victims and community. To learn more click here. OTHER DROP-OFF LOCATIONS *By City* MOORE: Moore Community and Development (405)793-5053-Heavy Machinery for cleaning debris Home Depot (Moore) is helping with animal rescue (405) 895-6064 EDMOND:   Crawford Family Funeral Service â€" call 405.340.2333 Memorial Road Church of Christ: 2221 East Memorial Road, 405.478.0166 Juice Blendz at 1200 West Covell Road in Edmond (405-285-0133) All Edmond High Schools have drop-off’s.  Edmond Memorial High School (405) 340-2850-Clothing,  Edmond North (405) 340-2875-Bottled Water,  Edmond Santa Fe (405) 340-2230-Canned Food OKLAHOMA CITY:   New Direction Ministries â€" 10109 N. Western Avenue (405-242-4692) The Gate Church is accepting: Water, Sunscreen, Baby Items, Toiletries, Gloves, etc. 7700 North Council Road (405-728-7700) 50 Penn Place: Clear Channel station in 50 Penn Place will accept donations at the west entrance. N.W. 50th and Penn West entrance LifeChurch.tv is partnering with Convoy of Hope:  Drop off information: http://www.facebook.com/lifechurchtv,    Locations: www.lifechurch.tv/locations McNellies OKC and Norman-Water, Gatorade, clothing, baby supplies, paper towels Carls Auto Repair (405) 677-7446-All Items Home Depot metro area you can buy items for donation at store an they will deliver to Moore Chilis Metro Locations-Can drop off any items at any of their locations Catholic Chairities (405) 523-3000 Science Museum Oklahoma (405) 602-6664-Bottled water, Gatorade, wipes, baby formula, canned food David Stanley Dodge (405) 737-3700 7609 SE 29th St OKC-Everything but clothing Council Road Baptist (405) 495-2727 Mon-Fri 7am-530pm 2900 N Council OK-All donations Asbury Medical Supplies (405) 858-0097 9am-5pm 3401 N May-Any Donations Trinity Clinic (405) 848-7246 4236 NW Expressway Ste 115 OKC-Any Donations St. James Anglican Church OKC  204 104th St. OKC  (Intersection of Walker and 104th)- Any Donations NORMAN: Journey Church in Norman I-35 Tecumseh in Norman McNellies OKC and Norman-Water, Gatorade, clothing, baby supplies, paper towels OU Housing and Food (405) 325-9900 Donations accepted at the Main Walker Tower on campus 1406 Asp Ave in Norman- Diapers, baby supplies, toiletries, phone chargers, dog and cat food, board games and DVDs, new clothes for both adults and kids Second Chance Animal Shelter 4500 24th Ave NW Norman, OK 73069 (405)321-1915 for Fostering (360) 201-6222- NEEDS: Purina One Lamb and Rice, Purina One Puppy, Purina Cat and Non-Clumping litter MUSTANG:   Mustang Brewing Company Headquarters â€" Open 5/21 at 7:00 a.m. Several thousand square feet of warehouse space opened up. Will get it to those who need it. 520 North Meridian Avenue, Oklahoma City. (405) 943-0100-Water, non-perishable food, baby supplies, clothing and home goods MIDWEST CITY:   Beta Delgado at Door Christian Fellowship 405.705.1919 CHOCTAW:   Choctaw Road Baptist Church â€" collecting water, diapers, toiletries, snack foods, work gloves, gatorade, sunscreen, baby wipes, hand sanitizer, ibuprofen. PLEASE NO CLOTHING. Between 8:15 am and 4:15 pm Tuesday and Wednesday. 14971 East Reno, Choctaw (405-390-9002) SHAWNEE:   Shawnee Mall (405)275-7253 4901 N Kickapoo St Center court in front of Jc Penny-Any Donations Shawnee Expo Center: Any donations including clothing. Call (405) 481-5871 05/22 after 10am for details. They are taking things to Moore, Carney etc as needed. BARTLESVILLE:   Bartlesville Professional Firefighters, Local 200 accepting the same as my original list above, plus clothing and shoes. EL RENO:   Lucky Star Casino, Event Tent â€" a trailer is set up for donations from 7:00am till 3:00pm Tuesday and Wednesday (Event Tent on the West Side of the Casino). A cashier will be available for monetary donations. Necessary items, water, gatorade, non perishable foods, diapers, formula and wipes, hand sanitizer, gloves, trash bags, rakes, shovels, flashlight and batteries, suntan lotion, pre packed snacks. No clothes, bedding or household items at this time, as Red Cross has no storage or distribution center set up for these items at this time. Will be needed in the very near future though. EL Reno, Oklahoma (405-422-6500) ELK CITY:   Culver Electric: filling trailers with water, diapers, wipes, formula, gloves, hand tools, sunscreen, Gatorade, and all needed items on the salvation army and red cross list. 1823 West 20th in Elk City LOCAL MEDIA:   KYIS 98.9 (405)848-0100 4045 NW 64th St (64th and Wedgewood)-Everything but clothing www.News9.com (405)-843-6641 7401 N Kelly Ave OKC-Accepting anything but clothes www.Newsok.com www.Kfor.com www.Okcfox.com Clear Channel station in 50 Penn Place will accept donations at the west entrance. N.W. 50th and Penn West entrance OTHER DONATIONS: (not sure of location) Twisted Route Art (580) 512-5191-Clothing VOLUNTEERING Please stay out of the affected areas until search and rescue and emergency crews have said its safe and so that traffic doesnt stay congested. As a victim, its so hard to be stuck trying to get to and from your home (or whats left of it) because there are so many people in the area coming to sight see or to try and volunteer before they are needed. Please consider contacting any number of the organizations listed below or anyone who you know is organizing efforts to help. You dont have to be in the zone to be impactful. Please call organizations before showing up to volunteer unless they have asked otherwise. The County Commissioner for the area is  Brian Maughan  and once search and rescue is wrapping up, his county crew will be working on clean-up and will needs lots of manpower and for well past this weekend. Please follow him for updates https://www.facebook.com/commissionerbrianmaughan PETITIONS: (Shelters in Schools)   Those of you may know that two schools were leveled in the storm and a number of childrens lives were lost because there was not a shelter, safe room or basement in the school. I picked up my own daughter at her school just minutes from when the tornado hit. Ryleighs school was spared. I watched the tornado desend from the sky and we narrowly missed our lives being taken. Please consider signing these to support the addition of shelters in all schools in Oklahoma. White House Petition Change.org Petition Causes.com Petition Supporting Each Other. Supporting Oklahoma Please feel free to leave a comment below and add to the list. We will work to keep the list updated but its up to you. Lets work together to help overcome this obstacles. Lets support Oklahoma.