Helping Others in Times of Tragedy: Oklahoma

We’ve all seen the news. Some of us can’t turn the television off. Some of us can’t watch at all. We don’t know what to do. How to help. What to say.

So we do nothing. Say nothing. We move on with our lives because nothing happened to us.

But it did happen to us. No, not directly, but US as a nation. America. And these are our brothers and sisters.

And we CAN help.

First, and foremost, we can pray. For the rescue workers. For the people who lost homes. For the businessmen and women who have to rebuild their livelihood. For the parents who lost children. For the clean-up efforts, the rebuilding, the post-tramatic stress that some will suffer, and the voids that will surely need to be filled.

Then, we can take action. Whether it’s cleaning out a closet of unused essentials or giving $10 to the Red Cross, we can do something.

Here are some ways you can help – ways that all of us Texas Bloggers are helping today – in an effort to ease the loss that our friends to the north are feeling.

1. United Way of Oklahoma – these funds will be collected and then redistributed to the organizations working directly on the ground in Oklahoma. Go here to donate.
2. Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief Fund – The Southern Baptist Convention has a disaster relief fund set up to benefit any disasters in Oklahoma. All funds given right now will go towards tornado relief. Donate here.
3. Feed The Children Disaster Relief – this organization is promising to help bring people the everyday essentials that are needed to survive (many of them lost everything). Provide goods by donating here.
4. Team Rubicon – Team Rubicon is already on the ground in Oklahoma and is made up of veterans that want to use their military training to help people recover after a disaster. Donate to their efforts.
5. Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma – You can text FOOD to 32333 to donate $10 to this food bank.

Obviously, there are other organizations to donate through, but these are just a few that seem to give the funds directly to the disaster intended.

I hope you’ll join me in giving something, and that you’ll say a prayer or two for the people of Oklahoma.