SALVATION ARMY RESPONDS TO OKLAHOMA TORNADO STRIKE

As soon as the 2 mile wide tornado ripped through Moore, Oklahoma on Monday the salvation army had an immediate response with a facility less then 2 miles away. 

They have been able to send out personnel, equipment and set up mobile canteens with food and water.

Major Harvey Johnson with the Amarillo salvation army says they also have been focusing on spiritual relief as well.

"those individuals at that point in time, whether you are a person that was effected from your household or school and that significant impact that's made, but also those first responders trying to assist can be very taxing emotionally. So, we are there  to lend that kind of support as well."

Major Johnson says this is just the beginning. The salvation army will be involved long after the initial outreach is over.

"after that we will be moving in to helping families get in to permanent housing; helping them with other kinds of things that they need for long term recovery. We will move from this response, to the disaster, to recovery mode."

Johnson  says, he appreciates the support of the community when something like this happens but people can get a little too zealous. What sounds like a great idea to you is a just another disaster for them.

"one of the things we encourage people not to do is to get a trailer and get a bunch of stuff together and cart it over there or send it down to us and expect us to cart it to Oklahoma City. It creates another disaster with how do you handle all this stuff coming in?"

Johnson says,  they don't have people ready to distribute spontaneous truck  loads nor do they  have any place to store those supplies.

The best way to help is to make a cash donation at  1-8-0-0-s-a-l-a-r-m-y. The number doubles as a web site.

AQHM LENDS HAND TO OKLAHOMA

The American Quarter Horse Museum is getting involved with the Oklahoma tornado disaster relief.

Sarah Davidson with the A.Q.H.M says they are currently collecting donations of very specific items.

"Right now our donations are the immediate needed items, non-perishable food items, toiletries, buckets, shovels and gloves. We are asking that you only bring the items that are on our list."

Davidson says they will have a trailer set up at the main entrance to the A.Q.H.M from Wednesday till Friday, 8am to 8pm.

Davidson says any monetary donations should be directed to the www.redcross.org.