Hometown Glory

I'm sure that at this point everyone has seen the devastation that has happened to my little hometown of Joplin, Missouri. Thank God my mom and grandparents were spared and the most damage is a little water damage to my grandparents home. At this point my mom is worried about how they will have enough money to put food on the table since neither her or her husband are able to work at this point. My mother works/worked at St. John's Hospital which is now in shambles. My step dad is a welder and because there is no water at his workplace, he too is out of work. My sister's two friends were killed while out on a shopping trip. A cousin's friend has a husband who is still missing and so many others are unaccounted for. In a town as small as Joplin...everyone knows everyone.

Looking at pictures of the devastation I can see the parks I used to play as a child completely gone. In some pictures it's so destroyed that I can't even tell where it is or what I'm looking at...just miles and miles of debris.

I know that such a small town has already banned together to help everyone in need regardless of the amount of damage and injury sustained. They will not stop until everyone in need has been helped and every home and business has been restored. I just wish that I could be there to help.

If anyone reading would like to help in any way here’s how to get involved:

•To support the Salvation Army disaster relief efforts, people can text the word “JOPLIN” to 80888 for an automatic $10 donation, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769) or go to www.salvationarmy.us. Donations may be mailed to The Salvation Army, 3637 Broadway, Kansas City, MO 64111.

•To support the American Red Cross disaster relief, people can text the word “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation, or call 1-800-Red-Cross (1-800-733-2767). Donations may be mailed to the Red Cross’ Greater Kansas City Chapter, 211 W. Armour Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64114.

•Heart to Heart International is asking medical volunteers to contact the organization at 913-764-5200. The general public can make financial contributions or pack hygiene kits. To learn how to pack the kits or to help in other ways, go to www.hearttoheart.org. Heart to Heart sent medical volunteers to Joplin Sunday night and has since deployed its mobile health clinic to the region for further medical aid.

•The Community Blood Center is asking area residents to donate blood this week. To find a mobile blood drive, go to www.savealifenow.org or call 1-888-647-4040. Donors can also go to one of Community Blood Center’s seven neighborhood donation centers.

•Spin Neapolitan Pizza will collect money at its four locations through at least Friday or until it raises $2,500 in donations. The pizza company also will match the total donated up to $2,500. The proceeds will go to assist Heart to Heart International.Spin has locations at 4950 Main St. in Kansas City; 1808 N.W. Chipman Road in Lee’s Summit; 6541 W. 119th St. in Overland Park and 14230 W. 119th St. in Olathe.

•Summit Christian Academy and GracePointe Church in Lee’s Summit will make a trip to Joplin to drop off supplies Wednesday morning.

They are looking for donations of bottled water, clothes, medical supplies, gas cans, generators, extension cords, nonperishable food items, toiletries and baby items including diapers, wipes and formula.

Drop off supplies between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. today at Summit Christian Academy, 1500 S.W. Jefferson St., Lee’s Summit.