Kansas Tornado Relief - 911 CARES

[Guest guest]

On late Friday, May 4th, 2007 Greensburg, Kansas (the county seat for

Kiowa County) was hit by an F-5 tornado that damaged approximately 95%

of the town. This small community of 1,600 residents is supported by a

small Communication's Center that dispatches Police, Fire and EMS

for the city and county. You have surely seen the television coverage of

this disaster. We have been trying since Sunday to contact them to see

how 911 CARES and the larger telecommunications family can help.

Today, we spoke to a Greensburg Dispatcher, Lois Morehead who gave us

some devastating news. They have four full time and three part time

dispatchers. FIVE of their dispatch staff has lost EVERYTHING! This

includes their home, their personal belongings and clothing. They are

currently dispatching out of a trailer with assistance from surrounding

counties who have provided dispatchers. Not only are they dealing with

the loss of their homes, they are dealing with the loss of a police

officer, Tim Buckman who was injured when the tornado crushed his

squad car. He died at the hospital when the decision was made to

discontinue life support.

These fellow dispatchers need our help. Any clothing, personal hygiene

products, household items…basically anything would help them out.

Packages and cards can be sent c/o Lois Morehead, Greensburg Police

Department, 200 E. Wisconsin, Greensburg, Kansas 67054. (The post

office has been destroyed, but all mail is being routed through Pratt

– the next closest town.)

MAKE A DONATION: We have some neighboring dispatch centers that are

helping us get financial assistance delivered. If you want to make a

donation via MasterCard, Visa or AMEX, you can do it online at:

http://911cares.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY & Store_Code=9C & Cat\

egory_Code=A-FP

<http://911cares.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY & Store_Code=9C & Ca\

tegory_Code=A-FP> OR you can call PSTC-911 CARES at (from

0715-1600 CA time) and we will process your donation.

911 Cares is already sending these dispatchers a care package of

clothing and personal hygiene products and we are launching a nationwide

activation to assist these dispatchers. Please visit our website

www.911cares.com <http://www.911cares.com/> for further information or

to make a donation.

A NOTE ON DONATIONS: We learned a great deal when we coordinated the

relief efforts for the Gulf Coast. We beg you, don't just clean out

a closet and dump it in a box. These folks don't have washing

machines, dryers or sewing machines. ONLY send items that are clean and

ready to wear. Jeans, sweats, t-shirts, light jackets, new underwear,

shoes and work boots are the best garments to send. Blankets, sheets,

towels and pillows/pillow cases are very much appreciated. Toiletries

including soaps, shampoo, hand sanitizer, baby powder and " monthly

needs " are welcome. Don't forget diapers and a few toys or books

for the kids. Imagine losing everything, what would you want? That is a

great place to start! Don't forget pet food!

We don't have specific sizes yet. We are working on it. We have been

assured that anything the dispatchers can't use will be shared with

officers, fire fighters and medics.

VENDORS: We are checking into specifics on how you can help, stay

tuned. For now, pass the hat at the office.

RED PIG AGENCIES: If you have a 911 CARES red pig in your center,

it's time to empty it out and help our friends in Kansas!

THANKS!

and the team at 911 CARES