PRAY FOR OKLAHOMA.... WHAT'S GOING ON? HOW CAN YOU HELP? GET ALL THE INFO HERE

THE MORE I HEAR REPORTS OF THE OKLAHOMA TORNADO TRAGEDY THE MORE I WANT TO KNOW HOW I COULD HELP ALL OF THESE PEOPLE. IF YOU DON'T FOLLOW THE NEWS LET ME INFORM YOU ON THE FACTS OF THE DISASTER THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE....

• HARDEST HIT AREA: MOORE, OKLAHOMA 
• DESTROYED AN AREA AS FAR AS TWO MILES WIDE AND TWENTY-TWO MILES LONG.
• MOORE, OKLAHOMA SUBURBAN TOWN OF 40,000 THE SITE OF SIMILAR TWISTERS, FOUR YEARS EARLIER AND 1999.
• MEDICAL EXAMINER CONFIRMS 24 DEAD INCLUDING 9 CHILDREN
• AT LEAST 100 SURVIVORS HAVE BEEN PULLED FROM RUBBLE
• POLICE, FIRE FIGHTERS, NATIONAL GUARD ARE ALL SEARCHING FOR SURVIVORS

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

The Red Cross

The Red Cross of Oklahoma has activated its "safe and well" website for those who are trying to reconnect with loved ones. Red Cross officials and volunteers are also beginning to open shelters. There are a handful open now and this map provides location information. You can help their efforts by donating to the Red Cross online or by texting REDCROSS to 90999. In addition to shelter and emergency care, the Red Cross is also providing hot meals to those affected. They are operating fixed feeding sites at the Little Axe Resource Center Carney Oklahoma Senior Center and in Shawnee at the Shawnee Expo Center located at 1700 W. Independence, Shawnee, Oklahoma, 74804.

If you are outside of the U.S. and wish to contribute to the efforts of the Red Cross, please visit their international partner International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent.

Samaritan's Purse

Samaritan's Purse deployed a group of staff members totravel from its North Carolina headquarters to head to Oklahoma with a Disaster Relief Unit. The unit is a tractor trailer stocked with emergency supplies and equipment.

AmeriCares

Global health and disaster relief nonprofit AmeriCares is also mobilizing a team to help in Oklahoma. Its emergency response team is headed to the region to coordinate deliveries of relief supplies and medical aid for survivors. The team is expected to arrive by morning.

Team Rubicon

Team Rubicon, a group of military veterans who respond to disaster, have issued the call to members and is heading to the region. By Tuesday morning, initial assessment teams will be on the ground, and they will then mobilize a full response to help the people affected by these storms.

food and Shelter

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army has also jumped into action. It's in multiple locations throughout cities in Oklahoma providing food, hydration and emotional support to first responders and storm survivors. You can contribute to the Salvation Army by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769), online on their website, by texting "STORM" to 80888 to make an automatic $10 donation or by mail:

The Salvation Army 
PO Box 12600 
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73157

Feeding America

Feeding America is responding by providing food, water and supplies to the residents of the devastated towns in Oklahoma. The group will continue to assess the need on the ground for more assistance as recovery efforts continue.

World Vision

World Vision has a team headed into the disaster zone with emergency food kits, blankets, cleaning supplies, hygiene items and tarps. Once the team arrives, they will assess the needs and respond accordingly.

Feed the Children

Feed the Children has also mobilized and are sending supplies to families and children in need in Oklahoma. You can also help their efforts by making a monetary donation.

Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma

The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, in partnership with Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), is asking that the public support all rescue, recovery and disaster relief efforts by making cash donations. Donations of items such as clothing and supplies are strongly discouraged.

Give blood

The Oklahoma Blood Institute

As the recovery efforts progress and more and more of the walking wounded are found the need for blood donations increases. Many of the injured will require blood to help in their recovery. The OBI team says they are particularly seeking O-negative and Rh-negative blood types. If you are local in Oklahoma you can donate here. Outside of the immediate area, please donate to your local blood bank which will help replenish the national supply. You can find your local center through the Red Cross.

Heartbreaking scenes in Oklahoma City after the twister

Help injured or displaced pets

The Humane Society of Central Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Humane Society is working with the city of Moore to assess and shelter animals affected by the storms. Many pets are displaced in violent storms like these and the Humane Society is dedicated to make sure these animals get the necessary immediate care they need. They ask now for monetary donations to help their efforts but will update their page with volunteer and in-kind donations as they get a better grasp on the supplies, food and medical assistance needs.

GET INVOLVED, HELP OUT, PRAY!!!












(PHOTOS: CNN)