Help Storm Victims and Guidance for Families
Resources & Ways to Help
Red Cross for Central/Western Oklahoma: Please call 1-800-RedCross, go to www.redcross.org/okc or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation from your mobile device. If you want to volunteer please call our chapter at 405-228-9500.
The Salvation Army: On the ground providing food, water and shelter for victims and relief workers. Click here to donate. Or text message STORM to 80888 to give $10. Follow Salvation Army on Facebook or Twitter for more information about mobile donation sites.
Volunteer Opportunities: The City of Moore is coordinating volunteers through: Moore.Recovers.org and ServeMoore.com. Interested volunteers can sign up online or by calling (866) 484-3500.
Goodwill: All donations intended for relief efforts can be made to any Goodwill location in Central Oklahoma for immediate distribution to victims of the tornadoes. Goodwill asks that people wanting to volunteer with the distribution efforts contact Sarah Steffes at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or complete the volunteer form at okgoodwill.org.
Feed the Children: We are preparing emergency supplies to respond to families affected by the tornadoes in Oklahoma. If you would like to help, please visit: www.FeedTheChildren.org/disaster
Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma: To make a tax deductible donation to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, go to www.regionalfoodbank.org or call 604-7111 or text FOOD to 32333 to give $10 to relief efforts.
United Way: The United Way of Central Oklahoma's Disaster Relief Fund is open. Donations may be made online at www.unitedwayokc.org, by phone through (405) 236-8441or by mail to United Way of Central Oklahoma, P.O. Box 837, Oklahoma City, OK 73101 with notation for May Tornado Relief. Funds will be distributed without administrative fees to United Way Partner Agencies working on the tornado relief efforts.
FEMA: To apply for disaster assistance individuals and business owners may call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or go online at www.disasterassistance.gov. The designation ensures federal assistance for housing repairs or temporary housing, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest loans for individuals and businesses to repair or replace damaged property, disaster unemployment assistance, and grants for serious needs and necessary disaster expenses not met by other programs.
Habitat for Humanity is seeking help with long-term rebuilding efforts and aid to families who will require safe, affordable places to live. Habitat will initiate construction on homes for these future Habitat homeowners within the next year; the organization anticipates a great need for donations. Those interested in making a donation, volunteering or learning more about Habitat’s efforts are encouraged to contact Ann Felton Gilliland, chairman and CEO of Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , James Lamey at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Christi Roney at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or to call (405) 232-4828. Secure donations can also be made online at http://www.cohfh.org/ by clicking “Donate to Oklahoma Tornado Victims.”
Clothing for Women: The Kerr Foundation, working with volunteers Laura Ogle and Christy Coyle with a new organization called XO, is collecting professional clothing for women affected by the tornadoes. The group will accept blouses, dresses, pocketbooks and other wardrobe items for women preparing to return to work after losing their wardrobes in the weather disaster. The group will pick up items or you can drop them off at 12501 N May or On a Whim at Classen Curve. For information, call 209-4777.
Clothing for Children: Uptown Kids at The Classen Curve has established a children’s clothing drop off location. Bring items to 5840 N Classen Blvd, Suite 3, and the store will get them to the Red Cross and other organizations.
Medical Personnel: The Oklahoma City-County Health Department is asking that medical personnel and others who want to volunteer to help with disaster relief in the OKC-Moore area to go to the Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps (OKMRC) website at www.okmrc.org and click on the opportunity link for more info about volunteering. OKMRC is designed to bring together different healthcare-related organizations and members of the community, including physicians, nurses, public health workers, and other medical professionals. In addition, volunteers without a background in medical training are needed.
COX Telecom Centers: For those affected by the storm or relief workers, these centers have free open WiFi, local and long distance calling, HD video service and Cox TV Connect access for those impacted so they can have video viewing capabilities outside of the home. LOCATIONS: St. Andrew, 800 NW 5th St, Moore, OK 73160 & Moore Community Center 301 N. Broadway, Moore, OK 73160
Data Recovery: Livewire PC (405) 627-2575 at 833 NW 12th Street in Moore, OK is offering Free Data Recovery (ex. pictures, videos, music & personal documents) for "ALL HOMEOWNERS" whose computers were damaged in the May 2013 tornado.
Pet Owners: OKC Lost Pets exists to help pet owners who lost their pets as a result of the May 20 tornadoes in Moore, Shawnee, Carney and Bethel Acres, Oklahoma. This is your virtual “bulletin board.” Instead of dozens of Facebook pages, this is the OFFICIAL SITE for the City of Oklahoma City and the City of Moore.
Lost and Found: If anyone finds photographs lost from homes in the tornado, save them and spread the word. For information about preserving photos, go online to Operation Photo Rescue at http://www.operationphotorescue.org. If you have a found item that you'd like to share, try posting it here: https://www.facebook.com/MooreTornadoLostAndFound. The Oklahoma City-based Candid Color Photography is collecting photos found in the tornadoes’ aftermath and scanning them in so victims can browse through them. For updated information about how to drop off photos, go online towww.candid.com/tornado. A Facebook page called “Moore Oklahoma Lost and Found” has been established as a place for posting lost or found items. Check out https://www.facebook.com/#!/MooreOklahomaLostAndFound for information.
Toys for Kids: Toy Base 10, 4028 NW 10, and Vintage Stock, 7407 N May, are collecting toys for those displaced by the Moore tornado. Toy Base 10 is open from 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. Vintage Stock is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 7 p.m. Sundays.
Additional Ways to Help: The Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits has a new website, www.oklahomagives.org where nonprofits can post their needs and what they are doing to help. A number of Oklahoma nonprofit organizations are assisting in the first and continued waves of response for disaster relief. The center hopes this will be a neutral link between nonprofits and donors. Contact Lindsey Fry at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you are offering help in any of these areas: direct care or relief to residents in affected areas; food, shelter or services; a collection or drop-off point; volunteer coordination; long-term assistance for families or businesses; or other services. For more information, go online tohttp://oklahomagives.org.
NewsOK has compiled an in-depth list of how to help tornado victims along with a list for storm victims on how to get help.
The Governor's Office has this website with frequent updates on the situations and government resources.
Talking to Kids
PBS Parents: Whether it's a major traumatic event or chronic daily hassles, kids can have a hard time coping with some of the challenges they face. When children feel overwhelmed and unable to manage situations, it can have serious negative consequences. Read more...
PBS Parents YouTube: A playlist with videos containing tips for talking to kids about scary news. Watch...
How to Handle Children's Questions About Scary News: Tornadoes. Tsunamis. Terrorists. There’s certainly no shortage of scary stories in the news. What do you do if your child starts asking questions that you’re not prepared to answer? Have no fear! Dr. Rosemarie Truglio, VP of Research and Education at Sesame Workshop, has some simple strategies to help you respond. Watch...
Mister Rogers: In times of crisis, children want to know, "Who will take care of me?" They're dependent on adults for their survival and security. They're naturally self-centered. Watch his commentary and read more...
Sesame Street: Children might still be confused about what exactly a tornado is. Explain that it is a big storm with a lot of wind and heavy rain. It can be scary, but adults will do their best to keep children safe. Sesame Street prepared a tool kit for talking about natural disasters with kids. Learn more...
Helping Our Children in Difficult Times: What can we say to children when public tragedies and upsetting events occur? Should we shield them from the news? How can we reassure them and help them feel safe? Here is some advice from early childhood experts that may be helpful. Read more...