Bell of Safe Harbor
Copyright Kristi Crutfield Cox, 2013
There is alot of debate on which groups are effective or ineffective in the administration of services, and personally folks, I think we do need to discuss more and develop more effective ways of how we respond to crisis and catastrophe and distribution of services. But that day is not today...
I am getting info from folks, and since I am not on Facebook, the ONLY way is either through first hand experience such as yesterday, wear I bore witness to what was directly infront of me and then heard firsthand the actual survivors' stories... OR through people letting me know who THEY are working with that is getting the items, shelter, and medical care directly to the people who need them.. So in a moment, I will tell you more about the groups whose names have been passed on to me as being DIRECTLY, ACTIVELY AND EFFECTIVELY getting items from point A to PERSON IN NEED.
MELISSA HINES PROJECT, OKC, HAS FACEBOOK PAGE-sent to me by my sister who knows of families already helped by this group.
OTHER OPTIONS, INC. Mary Buckle have a friend who reported they are helping folks. Also, has helped autistic affiliated families
LIFESAV'R, INC, OKC My sister and a crew are out transporting, digging, and collecting and delivering.
ELK CITY SCHOOLS-Sent to me by a friend who was requesting items.
ARDMORE CITY SCHOOLS Have been contacted by Marcy King after telling her about experience with Moore shelter and outlets for resources. Was then also followed up with by Sabre Emde to identify the resource location I had worked at.
JOURNEY CHURCH in Norman, hometown Ardmoretite of the Williams family, they have two daughters from Ardmore, Shelly and Debbie, I am not sure which one is affiliated with church but a coworker had been in contact with them and they have clothing available, however news media have reported inaccurately that they had other items as well. Please contact them first to find out what items and services they have. Now, I have tried to reach the person who told me the name to verify if I have it correct so if I have it wrong let me know.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH of MOORE on I 35 and 27th st. I worked at this one.
Folks, contact the people you know, look on Facebook, and find out who is actively helping and then make contact and get the goods to them.
Also, check out your local businesses, schools, and also be aware that we need a wide range of services organizations and individuals to offer help.
Make sure you give to LGBTQ groups as well as other diversity oriented groups in OKC area as the reality is, discrimination, even in times of need, it occurs. People have been turned away from at least one source which will not be named but SHAME on you, they were turned away because of their sexual orientation. And NO, it was not the one we were working at. I would have thrown a fit if it had been.
The folks turned away from the unamed place happened to be a gay couple, who ALSO were tornado survivors.
REALLY.
So make sure that us who KNOW all people have a right to life, liberty, and happiness PERIOD, also include and give to groups supporting LGBTQ families:
PFLAG of Norman, if you contact them I have NO doubt they can direct you to a LBGTQ supportive collection group. Kay Holiday is a very cool kat who is a fierce supporter and a spirit to be reckoned with!
OKC Youth United...LGBTQ youth are very driven and passionate and activist oriented. That equals help to folks.
OTHER OPTIONS. INC (4013C) Mary Arbuckle, first hand account they are helping folks. Also, has helped autistic affiliated families.
LIFESAV'R, INC.
Also don't forget our furry and all types of animal friends! (think food of all kinds, specialty food for older dogs, blankets, kitty litter, medicine and vet treatments too)
SECOND CHANCE ANIMAL SANCTUARY, NORMAN, OK
CLEVELAND COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS DONATION DROP OFF
ANIMAL RESOURCE CENTER ON I25 and 40.
OKLAHOMA HUMANE SOCIETY, Western Ave.
I have given you a start, but folks, look on Facebook, talk to your friends, check your local businesses and you will find people who are helping directly. Some people are having fundraisers for friends even.
People need tennis shoes in all sizes, women, mens, and kids. They needs socks, full size blankets and pillows, clothing, ALL sizes. Especially larger sizes. Pants, pajama bottoms due to lots of folks having injuries, bottles for kids, suture kits for medical sites that are treating the carryover for hospitals. Peroxide and alcohol. Places to stay, beds to sleep in, rooms to feel safe in.
And remember, you can buy a gas card, a gorcery card, and simply walk into a shelter, observe for a few minutes, in fact stop and help even, and then find a person, watch their face, see their children playing at their feet, and or maybe an older person simply holding a blanket around their body after having lost everything...and when you walk over and put your help in their hand...well you know they got it.
We need to make sure we and those we are around are treating the people in need with dignity and respect and be able to recognize when they are not. We need to be aware everyone can't connect and help everyone, and sometimes in those moments, we do harm we don't intend. And maybe there is someone else who can talk to and help them better than you, so be the one to help them get there, to that person.
And finally,
I have learned that you can survive the catastrophe, but it is how the process and experience of feeling safer and more secure happens that really determines whether a survivor then becomes a victim. I have not actually ever stood there and lost my home, but after seeing the effects on a persons face, the emotional scars, the fear, the helplessness, anger, confusion, hope...and lost hope...I can tell you that making sure no resource or time is wasted and that all our folks are given what they need...
its a basic need...
to even begin to have a glimpse of hope.
Give smart, give much, and give now.
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