Ozarks Food Harvest will continue to collect for Joplin today at Bass Pro Shop in Springfield. They are currently discouraging clothing as a donation, but other items are still needed.
For financial donations, collections are being taken at various banks in town and at Hope Community Church this evening from 5pm to 7pm. You can also text Convoy of Hope at 50555 or the Red Cross at 90999 to donate $10 for Joplin relief. (When giving money, please be cautious and only donate to established and reputable organizations. Unfortunately, there are those who try to take advantage of our good will even in such tragic circumstances.)
One of our church members, who works at OTC, sent me the following from OTC as an opportunity to serve here in Springfield this weekend.
Missouri State University is hosting the 2011 Missouri Special Olympics this Wednesday through Friday. One of their area offices located in Joplin was totally destroyed and members of their “Special Olympics Missouri Family” are among the fatalities. Many of their volunteers who were committed to volunteer this week for the Special Olympics are now involved in search and rescue efforts in Joplin and are unable to assist, leaving Special Olympics in need of additional volunteers.
Consider volunteering part of your time over the next three days at the Missouri Special Olympics. Volunteers are needed Thursday from 7am-4pm and Friday 7:30am-1:30pm. Volunteers can check in at the volunteer services tent located in MSU Parking Lot #22 (Grand in between National and Kings). No pre-registration is necessary – just show up at the tent and they will assign you a location.
We are also looking at other avenues for support and service. I’ll continue to update this blog as things develop.