Help is on the way to tornado victims

Two local women, concerned over the plight of people caught in Saturday's devastation, are taking time to gather and deliver donated goods to the area. Linda Byerly and JoAnn Jones, both work at Nevada Housing Authority, and they are ready to leave Friday with donated items to help out. The two stressed that this is a personal effort and not connected with the housing authority.

"I don't want people to get the wrong idea," Jones said. "We're doing this on our own."

They have a list of goods that are needed and, just as importantly, a list of goods that aren't needed by the victims. The two have contacted the warehouse coordinator in Neosho, Jeremy Koren, who provided the list.

"There are a lot of things they need," Byerly said. "What they don't need are clothes, except baby clothes. They need tarps, baby food as well as regular food, power drinks to replace electrolytes, hygiene products and bedding --sheets, blankets and pillows."

Peggy Tedlock, Vernon County Red Cross director, said that Red Cross volunteers are on-site at all the affected areas and that they are providing emergency assistance but she was unaware of other individual efforts such as Byerly's and Jones.' The duo's efforts are appreciated and the need is great enough that the Red Cross could use the help.

"Red Cross workers are on the scene handing out emergency cards so people can buy some of what they need," Tedlock said. "They also are handing out supplies and providing emergency shelter."

Tedlock shared an e-mail she had been sent from Debi Meeds, executive director Greater Ozarks Chapter, who was in the devastated areas earlier in the week. Meeds began her e-mail with a thank-you and ended it with a description of some of what she had experienced.

"First of all, thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Today we were in the hardest hit areas of the tornado. I have never seen devastation like this in Missouri. As I said before, we were out at the areas hardest hit today and even though I have seen a lot in my years with the Red Cross the scene took my breath away. Acres of leveled homes and buildings.

"As we were leaving the area, there was a school bus coming toward us that stopped. As we watched, some children got off the bus and began to walk toward home. Then I looked again -- there were really no homes left -- on both sides of the road, just their parents standing beside a huge pile of debris waiting for them. Mangled toys, uprooted trees, sheet metal everywhere, boards, furniture… their lives inside out tossed about.

"I thought how strong these families are -- to be there -- beginning the heart breaking job of picking up those pieces. And the great satisfaction it is to be part of the team that helps each family begin that process of recovery.

"Never doubt that you are making a difference every day. As some one said to me to day -- 'bless you, bless you for helping!'"

There are several ways Vernon Countians can help. Money is always needed, while the Red Cross tries to keep supplies on hand for emergencies such as this there are always things that only money can supply. To donate to this fund specifically, send a check to the American Red Cross, 401 Jackson, Joplin, MO, 64801, and note on the memo line "Tornado Disaster Relief," Tedlock said.

Individuals who have items to donate can take them to the Nevada Housing Authority office, 1117 N. West, from now until approximately 4 p.m.. Friday. The Vernon County Ambulance District also will have an ambulance at Wal-Mart Friday, from noon until 2 p.m., to collect items as well.

The complete list of requested items includes: tarps, nonperishable food items, juice, sports drinks, storage containers and boxes, rolled roofing, hygiene products (especially feminine products), pillows, bedding, chips, granola bars, baby clothes and diapers.

No clothes other than baby clothes will be accepted -- they have enough.