After talking with family and friends about the destructive tornadoes in Joplin, we were struck by a feeling of helplessness. We had seen the pictures. We had seen the front pages. Now, we just wanted to see some hope, and something we could do to help.
Luckily, there’s the Internet.
I’m impressed by how people used the web for good to spread the messages of how to help. There are multiple ways, but here are some ways people are doing what they humbly can to help the people of Joplin.
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“ONE STATE. ONE SPIRIT. ONE MIZZOU.”
The University of Missouri is partnering with the Heart of Missouri United Way to sell tornado relief T-Shirts for $14.95 apiece. All proceeds will go to support the United Way’s United for Joplin campaign, the press release says.
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DONATING VIA TEXT
Texting the word JOPLIN to 864833 will assist the United Way’s recovery efforts with a $10 donation, which will be added to your cell phone bill.
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DONATING ONLINE
This is a no-brainer, right? But there are so many options, including:
- State of Missouri American Red Cross Online Donation Site
- Missouri Department of Public Safety State Emergency Management Agency
- The Missouri Interfaith Disaster Response Organization
- The United Way of Southeast Missouri Tornado Relief Fund
- Joplin Humane Society
Of course, these are just some of the organizations taking donations.
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HELP THE JOPLIN GLOBE
A former professor of mine from the University of Missouri posted this on Facebook:
“If you can spare a couple of days (or more) the Joplin Globe could use your help – reporters, editors, photogs — to relieve exhausted staffers. This would be a volunteer thing.”
The post included a Gmail address, but I won’t post it, lest the phishers, spammers and perverts get to it. But if you’re interested, let me know and I’ll connect you. If you’re a journalist near the area and can spare the time, it would be invaluable for you to donate your time and skills in this way.
UPDATE: I’ve heard from Laura Kelly, the contact for people wishing to volunteer for the Joplin Globe. She writes:
Please let folks know that we are covered for now, but are keeping names/contacts on file just in case. Response has been outstanding.
The Missouri Press Association has set up a special fund to help Joplin Globe journalists, to which you can donate here.
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We’ll be warned that there are people trying to scam us, and there will be. There will be people commodifying someone else’s pain and taking advantage of people’s good intentions. But I don’t think those are reasons to not give or not help. They’re just reasons to be cautious.
Whether you’re earnestly trying to help in the spirit of stewardship, or out of a feeling of guilt, or to feel something other than helpless, there are ways to help.