Community Corner

How to Help Joplin Tornado Victims

Financial donations are the best way to help. Relief agencies can convert money into goods and services and more easily get them where they need to go.

Lindbergh School District collecting through Tuesday: Donate online to help the Joplin School District get relief items to students there. Lindbergh Schools Superintendent Dr. Jim Simpson has a personal connection to the tragedy in Joplin: He served as superintendent of Joplin Schools for seven years before coming to Lindbergh.

American Red Cross: You can donate $10 by texting JOPLIN to 90999 from your cell phone. Visit the website of the St. Louis Chapter of the American Red Cross to learn more ways to donate financially or other ways to help.

The website also allows Joplin survivors to post that they are “Safe and Well” to let family and friends know their condition. To check on a loved one’s condition, log on the American Red Cross website at www.redcross.org, then click on the "list yourself as safe and well" link which will provide information on how to find people registered on the list.

Volunteering: Missourians interested in volunteering to assist should first call 800-427-4626 or 2-1-1, instead of reporting directly to a command post or the disaster area. Those with medical skills interested in volunteering should visit the Show Me Response website from the state of Missouri.

Missouri State Emergency Management Agency: Visit the website for more information about how to donate to the relief effort, or call 800-427-4626 or 2-1-1.

Mall collections through Memorial Day: Five area malls owned by CBL Associates Properties are collecting goods such as gently used clothing, shoes, toys and books, diapers, toiletries and other materials. The malls are: South County Center, lower level, Sears wing in Mehlville; Chesterfield Mall, lower level, center court;, upper level, JCPenney wing, St. Peters; St. Clair Square, center court, Fairview Heights, IL.

Salvation Army: Send checks marked "Joplin" to P.O. Box 21787, St. Louis, MO 63109-0787 or donate online; you can designate the donation for Joplin relief.

Jewish Federation of St. Louis: Send payments designated for Joplin relief to 12 Millstone Campus Dr., St. Louis, MO. 63146. You can also donate online.

Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod: Mail checks (noting “Tornado Disaster Relief” in the memo line) to LCMS World Relief and Human Care, P.O. Box 66861, St. Louis, MO 63166-6861; or call toll-free 888-930-4438. Or donate online.

Missouri Press Association: Has established a disaster fund for employees of the Joplin Globe who are covering the disaster — many of whom have lost homes or belongings in the storm themselves.

Monarch Fire Protection District: Is collecting donations for pets in need. Donations of pet food, towels, newspapers or money will be accepted at three Monarch fire houses in Chesterfield:;; and

Rock Community Fire Protection District’s Ladies Auxiliary and Dunklin Fire Protection District: Collecting items such as non-perishable food, blankets, and bedding, toiletries such as soap and shampoo and toys for children. A 53-foot trailer was donated by A-Mrazek Moving in Fenton to store the items until Friday morning when the items will be shipped to Joplin. Donate at: Rock Community Headquarters, (Rear of firehouse), 3749 Telegraph Rd.
Arnold; or Dunklin Fire Protection District, 1987 State Road Z, Pevely.

Eureka-Pacific Elks Lodge supply drop-off: On Saturday, May 28, and Sunday, May 29, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., at 19 W. First Street, Eureka. water, first aid supplies, moist towelettes, personal hygiene products, clothes, sunscreen and blankets.

Phi Theta Kappa at the : A supply drive through June 7. Organizers are looking for toiletries, new underwear, socks, toys, shirts, diapers, wipes .

: Organizing a collection of items to be sent to Joplin on June 2. No cash will be accepted. Drop off items including water, diapers and wipes, children’s clothing, stuffed animals and more at the following locations: , 1487 E. Pearce Blvd.; Taylor Tots Children Boutique, 1842 W. Pearce Blvd.; , 807 E. Pearce.

: A supply drive. A group will be leaving Tuesday to take the collected items to Joplin. The church also is of interested volunteers to go to Joplin to aid in the cleanup effort. The church will be open daily through Friday to accept donations. On Sunday, the church will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for donation drop-off and again from 9 a.m. to noon Monday.

Let us know of any other organizations accepting donations for Joplin. Email kurt.greenbaum@patch.com.

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