Go Time: Anatomy of a Small Relief Effort, Part 3

May 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment

As I wrote on Tuesday and Thursday, my friends David and Meghan Rowe are staging a relief effort this Saturday at their restaurant in Columbia for the tornado victims of Joplin, and they asked for my help. We are collecting hygiene items and bottled water. None of us have done anything like this before. I’m writing stuff down that I learn along the way.

The day has come. For us, the week has gone by fast. We’ve seen and heard stories of grace and horror.

It’s time to do what we’re gonna do. I turned onto Club Village Drive from Forum and saw the big honkin’ Mizzou Football truck. It was a pretty cool sight.

Mizzou Football Big Honkin Truck

Cooler still? The fact that people were unloading supplies from their cars, trucks and SUVs, and we had just begun.

We’ll be here collecting hygiene items and bottled water under the supervision of The Food Bank For Central & Northeast Missouri until 2 PM today. We have no expectations, and as Peggy from the Food Bank reminded us, “if you get three bucks and a bar of soap, you’ve made a difference.”

Thank you, Peggy. Thank you, everyone.

IMG 2832

I started to get a bit of dread yesterday as the Internet buzzed with fears that Joplin had too many supplies like the kind we were collecting. Watching the KOMU/Museao/United Way telethon on Thursday night (where they raised more than a million dollars – WOW!), I heard one of the anchors say, “they don’t need supplies, they need money!”

Ooh. Were we doing the wrong thing?

Then yesterday, a Columbia Tribune reporter I really respect, Janese Haven, tweeted a message from FEMA that they didn’t need more unsolicited supply donations.

I emailed Peggy from the Food Bank and she reassured me by saying these aren’t unsolicited, and that Joplin was going to need every ounce of help we could provide.

Long after the cameras leave. Long after the news cycle turns.

Joplin’s going to need every ounce of help we can provide.

Here, today, at D. Rowe’s just north of Forum & Nifong behind Walgreen’s, we’re so grateful for the leadership The Food Bank has provided us, and we’re equally thankful for the support and weight Mizzou Football has thrown behind this.

We hope you can make it by today – even if it’s just three bucks and a bar of soap … you’re making a difference.

Thank you.

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(Disclosure – D. Rowe’s is not a full-time client of mine, but I’ve done projects for them for money in the past. And for smoked meats as well. This project is all for free, obviously. At least, I hope that’s obvious. You never know anymore, do you? Okay. I’m going to stop talking now.)

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Anatomy of a Small Relief Effort, Part 2

May 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment

As I wrote on Tuesday, my friends David and Meghan Rowe are staging a relief effort this Saturday at their restaurant in Columbia for the tornado victims of Joplin, and they asked for my help. We are collecting hygiene items and bottled water. None of us have done anything like this before. I’m writing stuff down that I learn along the way.

This idea was born on Monday. It’s Thursday. Our relief effort – collecting hygiene items and bottled water – is coming together for Saturday in D. Rowe’s parking lot in Columbia.

Here are some more things I’ve learned in the past 48 hours:

DROWES RELIEF BANNER

You can’t be afraid to pimp your friends, as long as ... you don’t ask for stuff all the time. David and I both try to do a lot of things for people without asking for stuff in return. It’s how David got the University of Missouri Football Team involved. It’s how I got (my client) Epic Dental’s President Donald Bailey to donate more than $1000 worth of toothpaste.

(By the way, speaking of the Mizzou Football team, the coaches’ kids are going to have a lemonade stand at our relief effort Saturday. They wanted to help, too. Isn’t that cool?)

We’re so blessed to have experts as partners with the capacity to stage and store until Joplin’s ready for our help. The Food Bank has drivers ready to go, but reports out of Joplin indicate they don’t have the capacity yet to distribute the supplies we’ll collect. Once our partners at The Food Bank get the call, their drivers can deploy at a moment’s notice.

After spending just a couple days doing this, I’m in awe of first responders and people who run into the destruction and keep their heads as best they can. If I would have learned this at a younger age, I would have chosen a different profession.

Speaking of awe, Joplin native Brent Beshore and his team have coordinated with The Heart of Missouri United Way to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars in just days. They have a fundraiser tonight (Thursday, May 26) at The Museao building in Columbia. He and his team have done otherwordly things in such a short amount of time. He’s done his family and his hometown so proud.

So have so many others. The stories of grace and glory – of semi-trucks and church prayer groups – stream in from across the globe. My client in the UK emailed me this morning to see how we were doing and wondering if there was anything she could do.

The one thing I feel kinda bad about – or rather, I feel bad that I feel bad: I’m sorry, but I’ve seen several cases of businesses getting on facebook and saying, “Hey, for each person who likes our page, we’ll donate a buck,” or “If we get to 800 followers by 3pm, we’ll donate $2500.”

That just leaves me feeling all oily. Am I wrong? Is any donation – even if it kinda sorta appears to be self-serving – a good donation?

I feel bad that I feel bad.

We’re all a little gunshy here in Missouri. Yesterday afternoon, in my central part of the state, more than a dozen counties were under tornado warnings at the same time. As our sirens were going off in Columbia, all I could think about was my son – downtown at school, and how we couldn’t be there with him.

And, as I sat there feeling helpless, I felt guilty for being so selfish. My son was safe and sound in one of the oldest, most solid brick buildings in Boone County, and he would be fine, and we would probably be fine.

I’ve learned I don’t have problems. I have a few inconveniences here and there, but I don’t have any real problems.

This afternoon, David’s doing a bunch of media interviews about the effort on Saturday. A local radio group – Cumulus Media – has really reached out to us to help us spread the word even though they have their own efforts they’ve been conducting.

KOMU-TV has really worked hard to spread the word for us as well. They have a telethon tonight in conjunction with Beshore’s event at The Museao building.

Lots of people making things happen. Lots of people doing good deeds. Lots of people realizing their troubles ain’t so troubling.

Gotta run. There’s work to be done.

David text

(Disclosure – D. Rowe’s is not a full-time client of mine, but I’ve done projects for them for money in the past. And for smoked meats as well. This project is all for free, obviously. At least, I hope that’s obvious. You never know anymore, do you? Okay. I’m going to stop talking now.)

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2 Big Things: Anatomy of a Small Relief Effort, Part 1

May 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

My friends David and Meghan Rowe are staging a relief effort this Saturday in their restaurant parking lot for the tornado victims of Joplin, and they asked for my help. We are collecting hygiene items and bottled water. None of us have done anything like this before. I’m writing stuff down that I learn along the way.

“I want to do something.”

That’s what David said when my phone rang on Monday morning – fourteen hours after the tornado unleashed hell on Joplin, Missouri.

But we should cut that off before it starts, shouldn’t we? It didn’t unleash hell on Joplin, exactly. It unleashed hell on the people, pets, homes, hopes and dreams of the southwestern Missouri city. To say the city name alone somehow impersonalizes it.

DROWES RELIEF BANNER

This is most certainly personal.

David and Meghan wanted to do something. They wanted my help.

 

None of us are wealthy or famous. We don’t have instant access to resources or staff to marshal together a plan even if we could come up with one.

So, I did the only thing I knew how to do: reached out to people smarter than me.

My friend Sarah Hill of KOMU TV suggested I reach out to Tim Rich of The Heart of Missouri United Way who suggested I reach out to Peggy Kirkpatrick of The Food Bank For Central & Northeast Missouri.

It was about this time that I smacked myself on the head for not thinking to make Peggy my first call.

When the Mt. Rushmore of central Missouri’s erected, you’d be hard-pressed to find a person who wouldn’t put Peggy up there.

A whirling dervish of smiles, hugs, common sense and action, Peggy and her Director of Development, Bobbie Kincade, came to our aid yesterday morning.

They recognized two boys who were nice but none-too-bright.

As we (and by ‘we,’ I mean Peggy and Bobbie) began to hash out our plan for not only collection but staging and distribution, I started taking notes on the smart stuff Peggy was saying.

Food bank web

It filled four pages.

 

But, in the awful chance you’re faced with having to stage such a relief effort yourself, here are two things Peggy said that stuck with me above all else:

1) If all you get’s a bar of soap and three bucks, you’ve made a difference. People in need can use a bar of soap and three bucks. It’s not a competition to see who can raise the most money or gather the most supplies. Every little bit helps. Every. Little. Bit.

2) Besides first responders efforts, you know when – in a relief effort – help matters most? After Anderson Cooper leaves. Once the satellite trucks move on to the next sad story, Joplin will still be in emotional and physical shreds. Are we still willing to help? What’s the plan to help in three weeks? Three months? Six months?

So, we’re getting back together today to consider and act upon the help Peggy and Bobbie gave us – we’re planning out things like signs and chairs and a tent and what to do if people won’t be around on Saturday (we have drop off bins at the restaurant now) and if people want to write checks (make them out to “The Food Bank”) and how to get out the word.

We don’t have a traditional media partner for this event. They’re all doing their own thing.

We’re just a couple guys with kids who want to be good examples to them by helping the people of Joplin feel just maybe a little, little, little better by feeling a little cleaner with soap and deodorant and toothpaste and toothbrushes.

So, on Saturday from 8 AM to 2 PM, we’ll be in D. Rowe’s Parking Lot at Forum & Nifong in Columbia (behind Walgreen’s) collecting hygiene supplies & bottled water. You can learn more at www.dserves.org.

It ain’t much in the grand scheme of things, but it’s the best we can do.

At least, it is now that we have Peggy helping us.

(Disclosure – D. Rowe’s is not a full-time client of mine, but I’ve done projects for them for money in the past. And for smoked meats as well. This project is all for free, obviously. At least, I hope that’s obvious. You never know anymore, do you? Okay. I’m going to stop talking now.)

Drowes serves flyer nobleed

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CoMo: Relief Efforts for Joplin

May 23, 2011 By 9 Comments

Columbia is in shock over the news from Joplin. Here’s how you can put that shock into action. If you know of something not on this list, please email us at thecomocollective@gmail.com. We will update as we hear of events.

You can also check this spreadsheet for donation sites around Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kansas. And don’t forget that you can text JOPLIN to 864833 to make a $10 donation to the Joplin Tornado Relief Fund. As this article states, money is the best thing you can give right now. If you are in the medical field and can volunteer your time, register at Show Me Response. Keep up with the Food Bank efforts here.

Ongoing donation sites:
Priority items are bottled water, blankets, cleaning supplies, medical supplies, toiletries, diapers, large storage containers, and food items that do not have to be heated. Please consider donating money as storage space is limited.
VAMC offices – main office is at 2101 Chapel Hill Plaza Columbia, MO 65203
Isle of Capri Boonville (casino lobby)
Socket offices
Benton Homes (Tuesday and Wednesday from 10am to 8pm)
Gentry Middle School, Jefferson Jr High, and Rock Bridge High Schools: Bins for gently used shoes
The Crossing: accepting cash donations on behalf of the Heart of Missouri United Way in their main office all week, also taking a special offering at Sunday’s service.
Columbia Catholic School/Daniel Boone Little League Main Concession: new and like new summer clothes for kids or gift cards (which will be used to purchase kids clothes. Email joplinkids@gmail.com for more information.

Other Ways to Give:
Joplin Humane Society Amazon Wishlist
Planned Parenthood Special Fund:  The Joplin health center will be providing care free of charge from now until the end of June to anyone in need – existing patients, their families, or those who have never been to Planned Parenthood before.  They invite anyone who is in need of care, whether they need to replace a birth control prescription lost to the storm, check their blood pressure, or speak to a health care professional, to come to the Joplin health center.  No appointment is necessary. 100% of every dollar raised will be earmarked for this special emergency fund and will take care of the people of Joplin.

 

Fundraisers:
Mizzou T-shirt: The University of Missouri Athletics department is selling a “One State, One Sport” t-shirt to benefit the United Way’s efforts in Joplin. Cost is $14.95 and all profits directly benefit Heart of Missouri United Way. Click here to buy.

Friday:

MU’s Center for Family Policy & Research is collecting items for children. Diapers, formula, stuffed animals, books and other items for infants, toddlers and preschoolers will be accepted at the facility, located at 1400 Rock Quarry Road, at Entrance 6 from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday. For further information, please contact: Jackie Hawks (573-884-3564) / Scottjac@missouri.edu

Iron Tiger Tattoo: Been thinking about a tattoo or piercing? Iron Tiger Tattoo will be donating all proceeds from Friday’s sales to disaster relief.

The Crossing would like to invite residents of Columbia and the surrounding area to a short prayer service in support of those who’ve been affected by this disaster. The service will take place on Friday, May 27 from 5:30-6:15 p.m. at The Crossing, 3615 Southland Dr., Columbia, MO. For more information, please call 573-256-4410. There will also be a collection for Heart of Missouri United Way.

Bleu restaurant will be donating all sales, minus the cost of food and beverage, to the American Red Cross to help the citizens of Joplin. The staff has volunteered to donate their time, service and tips for the cause.

Saturday:
Operation Give – CoMo Cares: From 9am to 2pm Operation Give will be in the Columbia Mall Sears Parking lot. This is a great way to get your kids involved in the effort as they will have a giant piggy bank for their Red Cross donations. They are also asking kids to bring a new coloring/activity book and new crayons or washable markers. FEMA reports that a displaced children have nothing to keep them busy while their parents cope with the disaster. This event is coordinated and endorsed through the Salvation Army of Springfield. Needed items are: diapers, pull-ups, wipes, toiletries, NEW clothing/shoes, and blankets. Fry-Wagner Moving Company has agreed to transport the items to the Salvation Army in Joplin. Any Questions Contact Kurtlisajacob@gmail.com and check out details on their website.

D’Rowe’s Restaurant, at 1005 Club Village Drive, will be holding a “pack the semi” event on Saturday, May 28th from 8am-2pm. The most needed items are flashlights, batteries, rubbermaid containers, trash bags, band aids, Neosporin ointment, bottled water, and basic toiletries. Once the truck is packed, Mizzou coaches and players will accompany the truck down to Joplin to deliver the items on a day to be determined. During the event, there will be a “TigerAde” lemonade stand to raise money. Check out the details here and read about Mizzou Athletics involvement here.

The Too Epic For Facebook Burlesque Show will be donating [proceeds from the opening night to the Red Cross efforts in Joplin. Visit the event page for more information.

June 1st: Harpo’s is holding a fundraising evening. $5 donation at the door goes directly to the Red Cross. There will also be a live auction whose proceeds will go to the Red Cross and a % of the night’s food and alcohol sales will be donated to the Red Cross by Harpo’s. Details here.

 

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Joplin

May 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Facebook Update

Tornadoes are mythologized, marketed and even celebrated.

Until they’re not.

Joplin needs our help.

I think The Weather Channel promoted it as The Great Tornado Hunt or something, and there are numerous storm chaser shows.

The host of the tornado show, Mike Bettes, broke down on air when it – the humanity, the loss, the suffering – all kinda caught up with him, I think.

And I watched him.

That’s what we do, isn’t it? We watch, we talk about it, we try to make sense of it all when no sense can possibly be made.

The thing was a mile wide.

I have friends in Joplin. They’re accounted for. They have friends who are not.

For a couple hours last night, one of my best friends couldn’t reach her children. They are safe. Others are not.

And in our voyeuristic impotence, we grieve, sure, but mostly we don’t know what to do except watch and pray.

And, then, after the network satellite trucks pick up and move on to the next news cycle, Joplin will still need our help.

The thing was a mile wide.

Donate:

http://www.redcross-ozarks.org/donate/

Here are sites assisting in recovery:

http://www.redcross.org/safeandwell

http://joplintornado.crowdmap.com/

http://www.facebook.com/joplinmo

When I put my kids to bed last night, I hugged them a little longer and a little tighter. It was the only thing I knew to do.

I’m not sure if I’m jealous of or unspeakably angry at people who have some emotional switch they can turn off to go about their day like nothing happened.

Today, I’ll send money, and I’ll pray.

I don’t know what else to do.

UPDATE: Here’s a first-person, five-minute video. It’s a five-minute glimpse into the darkness. Do not let your children listen.

 

If you can’t see the embedded video, click here to watch it on YouTube.

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