By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Regional Red Cross officials have already sent one volunteer to Mississippi to help in recovery in wake of a deadly tornado that tore through the Mississippi River Delta.
The National Weather Service reports a massive storm spawned tornadoes that left much destruction in its wake as it stayed on the ground for more than an hour, killing 25 and wounding dozens more.
Greater Kansas City and Northwest Missouri Red Cross Executive Director JoAnn Woody says the Red Cross is responding to Rolling Fork, Mississippi as well as parts of Georgia and Alabama hit by the deadly storm.
“It’s tragic when you see an area hit multiple days in a row or even larger region, larger area like that,” Woody tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.
Woody says that while area residents might want to send clothes and food to the area, they would help most by sending cash.
“Financial donations allow us to meet the needs more effectively, efficiently, quicker and with a lot more respect and dignity for those that are receiving them.”
Woody says sending money helps the organizations responding as well as the area recovering.
“It helps the responding agencies if they’re needing, whichever agency you choose to donate to, it helps them buy the goods locally which again helps support the economy of a recovering community,” according to Woody.
Woody also issues a warning: be on guard for scammers. Woody says con artists always move in in wake of disaster. In this case, it is donor beware.
“And I really recommend if anyone is looking to donate financially to any organization: do your homework,” Woody says. “Make sure that it is a reputable organization that you know is doing the work that you want to support.”
One volunteer from the Kansas City/Northwest Missouri Red Cross is on his way to Mississippi to aid with the Red Cross’ technology team on the ground there. Woody says others could follow.
Click HERE for a link to donate to Red Cross recovery efforts.