UPDATE, you guys: I just got this awesome tweet from Amber – WITH AN ADDRESS – on where we can send in-kind donations for the tornado victims. They will sort them and distribute them!!

Thanks so much to Amber and Goat Milk Stuff for the info! Now, what are you waiting for. Start packing up all the shit you don’t need.

And you know you have a lot of shit you don’t need.

You can find the address here.

But, since I know some of you are lazy, I’ll also put it here:

For Tornado Victims
2720 Crone Road
Borden, IN 47106

Even if it’s just one small something. Like a pair of  jeans or shoes. Or teddy bear.

What if it was your kid who didn’t have anything left to wear, or play with….or LIVE IN?

And if you want to donate money, BUT OH MY GOD WHY WON’T SHE STOP TALKING, feel free to scroll down and you’ll find a list of organizations accepting monetary donations.

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I have a tendency to turn away really quickly from anything that makes my heart hurt (which is a lot). I usually change the channel if I see a story about anyone hurting, people or animals. I’ve become even softer (I’m basically mush, now) after becoming a mother. On one hand, I simply can’t bare seeing anyone suffering.  It’s a physical pain in the chest. A punch in the gut. But, on the other hand (why is there always another hand?), it touches my own mortality. I don’t want to be reminded that something horrible can happen to anyone. The selfish part of me wants stay blind to that and continue to live in my fortunate bubble.

But, last week, I wrote something over at CGG on Raising Volunteers. About our responsibility to raise emphatic and giving children, who want to help those in need (which, could be any of us at anytime, no one is immune). And, well, we can’t very well help anyone if we are always changing the channel, right?

So, last night, when the news showed the heartbreaking footage of the towns and lives recently ravaged by tornadoes, I did not change the channel.

Instead, I put out a call to Twitter asking how we could help.

The response was overwhelming, with everyone wanting to know what they could do, too. Amazing.

So many bloggers, and not bloggers, agreed to pool together and get the word out.

Here is where it gets tricky, though. I’m nowhere near done investigating, but from what little I have read this morning, most organizations aren’t accepting in-kind donations (clothes, blankets, toys) at this time. Frustrating, because we all have things lying around the house that we don’t need, but understandable, because right now, cold hard cash can expedite the relief efforts much quicker.

But, I know there must be somewhere these things can be sent. The question is where, so we make sure they reach the areas and people who need them most. I’m hoping someone can connect me with a local organization who will accept in-kind donations. This is the first time I’ve done something like this, and I want to do it right.

I’ll be updating here with new information as it comes in. But, for now, if you have a buck or ten to spare you can do that at the following organizations.

Via The Huffington Post:

American Red Cross
Red Cross workers have opened shelters for displaced residents, providing meals for victims and first responders of the disaster.

Support relief efforts:
Donate online at redcross.org
Text RedCross to 90999 to make a $10 donation
Call 618-529-1525

Salvation Army
The relief organization is providing feeding sites, first responders and clean-up crews. It is not accepting in-kind donations at this time. Contribute to relief efforts:
–Text the word ARCH to 80888 to make a $10 donation
–Donate online at SalvationArmy.org
–Donate through the mail at The Salvation Army, PO Box 21787, St. Louis, MO 63109. Please designate the gift “Storm Relief.”
–Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY

Team Rubicon
An organization that deploys veterans to help with disaster relief, Team Rubicon has sent three teams to Kansas, Missouri and Illinois. The group is clearing debris, assisting with security and making repairs where possible. Support Team Rubicon’s response efforts here.

United Way of the Plains
Find volunteer opportunities and ways to help the small town of Harveyville, Kan. Support efforts and find options here.

Harrisburg Volunteer Hotline
Anyone wishing to volunteer with relief efforts should call 618-252-3732 and will be contacted as soon as possible.

Branson Volunteers
Anyone interested in volunteering or providing recovery assistance in the Branson area can find opportunities at volunteerbranson.org.

Feeding America
The hunger organization is calling for an increase in food donations to serve those in affected areas. Find local food banks here.

Architecture for Humanity
A grassroots network of building professionals, volunteers provide their services to areas of need post disaster. The organization accepts donations online.

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I’ll reach out to local charities and disaster relief organizations throughout the day to try and get more information on where we can send our clothes, blankets, toys, etc., updating here when I find something out.

I’m hoping once the more critical item are addressed, organizations will have more man power to help with non-monetary donations.

I told Luca on the way to school that there were some kids who lost their homes, toys, and clothes. I didn’t get into why, he’s too young for such brutal and raw information. The last thing I want is for him to feel unsafe in his house, or be scared that he will lose it.

I thought his reply would be something along the lines of, “No, mommy, those are my toys and clothes!” But, instead he said, “We get to help other people after school, today? YAAAAY!” Adding, “Do they need my bathroom and shower, too, because I think that may be too big too send.”

So, while unfortunately, it’s not possible to send our homes and bathrooms, it is possible to send a donation or small things we don’t need (and usually take for granted).

I’m putting another call out to you guys. For information on where and how we can help. I know not everyone has ten dollars to spare, but may desperately want to help out in other ways. We just need help figuring out how.

Thanks for stopping by, friends.

xo

Excuse the typos on this one, you guys. It was written in a hurry.

(Not really, but just to cover my ass.)