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How We Can Help With Disaster Relief

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The devastating tornadoes that tore through multiple states on December 10th brought significant damage and loss to thousands of people in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missouri. Numerous lives were taken, hundreds of thousands of people were without power, and homes were destroyed. In Kentucky alone, over 70 people were killed, and the search for those unaccounted for continues.

The American Red Cross began helping the areas affected immediately, opening emergency shelters and providing medical aid. Over 160 ‘blood products’ were delivered to area hospitals in response, and as always, they are prepared to send more if needed. This year, the Red Cross has faced a devastatingly low blood supply, and asks the public to donate blood if you are able.

Many families are now displaced and without any possessions, and in the middle of the holiday season, kind hearted samaritans across the country have started fundraising in an effort to help those in need. Shawn Triplett, a resident of Mayfield Kentucky, lives in the midst of the devastation and has started a gofundme page to raise funds for children’s Christmas gifts. Shawn has raised over $25,000 in just 24 hours, and the donations keep coming. He has already made several toy purchases, and is excited to dress as Santa and deliver gifts and cheer to brighten the spirits of those affected by the storms. Brad Harris, a volunteer firefighter from Sandusky, Michigan, landed in Mayfield KY on Monday to help with distributing meals for two weeks.

“Responding to disasters is a team effort, and no single organization can do it alone,” the Red Cross reminds us. So what can we do to help? With the blood shortage, some hospitals are forced to postpone major surgeries and organ transplants, and your donation can quite literally save a life. Find out where to donate blood near you, here. The Red Cross is always accepting volunteers, as the need for help is constant. Volunteers are being deployed daily to the tornado sites, and Michigan is known for being a leader in sending help to wherever it is needed: Apply to be a volunteer at redcross.org. Monetary donations can be made online to the Disaster Relief fund, and donations are used towards disasters like the tornadoes. The American Red Cross Southwest Michigan branch operates out of Kalamazoo, and serves eight counties in our area under Executive Director Adam Castle.
By Jocelyne Tuszynski, MOTM contributor

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