Relief Efforts for Recent Tornadoes

In the wake of the recent tornadoes that have devestated the region, RHES would like to share information on the relief efforts currently in place and how the public can help. The following information has been combined from various sources including the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas Hospital Association and the American Red Cross.

Joplin Tornado

Kansas hospitals have treated 126, admitted 55, and released 11 patients from the Joplin tornado based on preliminary data from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

At this time, the health care providers in Joplin and Springfield, Mo. have sufficient staff identified for the immediate future and there is not a need for more medical personnel to volunteer.

However, there are many other ways we can support the relief effort. You can send much-needed monetary donations to the American Red Cross by visiting http://www.redcross.org/ or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS. You can also text the word "REDCROSS" to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Heart-to-Heart International is also accepting donations for victims of the Joplin tornado.  The organization is also providing care kits of survival essentials to families in Joplin. Here is the list of items needed for the Heart-to-Heart International care kits:

    new hand towels
    new washcloths
    wide-tooth combs
    10-15 oz. bottles of shampoo
    new individually wrapped toothbrushes
    4-6 oz. tubes of toothpaste
    individually wrapped bath-size bars of soap
    adhesive bandages
    one-gallon-size, zipper-seal plastic bags

If you have items that you have collected, you can contact Heart-to-Heart International at volunteer@hearttoheart.org.

Reading Tornado

An extensive clean-up effort in Reading, Kan. is currently taking place in response of Saturday's tornado. Medical personnel are not needed but annyone who would like to take part of the clean-up effort should contact the Lyon County Extension office at (620) 341-3220 for more information.

If individuals wish to provide monetary contributions to relief efforts in Reading, contributions should be directed through the United Way of the Flint Hills (http://www.uwfh.org/). Please put "Reading Relief" in the focus area section and 100% of your contribution will go to the long-term relief effort for Reading.

American Red Cross

The Midway-Kansas Chapter of the American Red Cross has lots of information on how to get involved in the relief effort of the recent tornadoes.

You can also find them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter to recieve up-to-date information.