oklahoma

Photo Credit: Charlie Riedel / Associated Press / May 21, 2013 )
Zac Woodcock salvages items from the rubble of his tornado-ravaged rental home in Moore, Okla.

Our hearts and prayers go out to those affected by the tornado in Moore, Oklahoma. With the loss of several lives (including children) and anticipated damage to be over one billion dollars by a tornado that was over a mile wide, it is extremely difficult to know where to begin. Throughout the devastation and loss, there were conscious moments. Moments where someone made a conscious choice to help someone else, and transformed an ugly disaster into a beautiful recovery.

These moments continue to shine bright throughout this tragic event. A sacrificial moment when a teacher laid on 6 students in a bathroom to protect them from the impending tornado. A touching moment when Hezekiah, a first-grader at Briarwood Elementary, saw his neighbor, Jim Routon, and ran straight into his waiting embrace. An encouraging moment when CBS News helped Barbara Garcia find her lost dog in the rubble of her neighborhood, which answered her prayers. There are countless others, which include individuals, businesses, and organizations supporting Moore, Oklahoma in whatever means they can.

How can you create your own conscious moment in this tragedy? Here are the different ways to help:

  • TEXT REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross Relief

  • CALL the Red Cross (1-800-RED CROSS or 1-800-733-2767) or United Way Fund (405-523-3598,405-523-3597, or 405-236-8441)

  • DONATE via redcross.org or unitedwayokc.org

  • VOLUNTEER with the Red Cross by viewing opportunities.

The immediate response has been incredible to witness, as the community has consciously chosen to band together to help each other. I think Jim Routon was 100% right when he said, “We have to depend on one another…. We’re Oklahomians, and that’s the Oklahoma spirit… By the grace of God, we’ll rebuild, clean up and move on.”