I too am wondering if our gw friends are OK.

I hope so too. The weather is still looking bad.

I just watched coverage of this on the evening news- what devastation. I hope gw friends are okay too.

Just found this post. I am fine as is my business. My mother lost her home and the last two days we pulled out keepsakes and pictures. Even more bad news for her was that we found out her husband, in a nursing home, was killed during the storm. The place was leveled. She was at my nephews graduation that afternoon, otherwise she would have been home or visiting her husband (an alzheimer's patient).

Our high school is gone, as are some of the other schools. My husband is the HS principal, so he has a lot of work ahead for planning, etc. I'm sorry for my older son who will be a junior next year. I'm doubtful he'll have a very normal last two years, being placed in various buildings, etc. We have a HS of 2000, so bringing in trailers just won't cut it.

Hope there wasn't anyone else in the path. I think I'm the only Joplinite on this board. We live outside the city limits, so we have water, electricity, life looks normal at my house! It's still very unreal.

I am so sorry Sally. Sending prayers to all the people devastated by this disaster.

Sally, this is so sad. I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Please know that you, your family and all the Joplin residents are in my prayers.

I am so so, sorry, Sally, for you and your family. I pray your lives and those of others in your area are able to be rebuilt lives quickly. And that those with missing loved ones get their answers.
Dee

sally, so incredibly sorry to hear about everything. You gave me goosebumps as I read your post.

This type of devastation that we are seeing really makes me take a moment and realize how silly it is that I am asking for advice for what color to paint my walls. I think I am very blessed that I have walls to even paint.

You may not realize it, but you have an entire nation watching and praying for everyone who has been a victim of these storms. Stay safe.

-Bee

sally, what can we do that will have the most impact for you and your community?

Sallymo, I'm sorry for your mother's losses, and I hope that she can find peace in all of this somehow.

My sister lives 20 min. from Joplin and, thankfully, she and her family are all fine. But the devastation is so severe! Good news is that all of the surrounding areas are sending in help and donations are overflowing. It really does put things into perspective!

Mostly a lurker here but had to reply to this thread..
I've very sorry for your loss and those around you. Living in Indiana we've had our share of recent storms but thank God no lives have been lost or massive damage like all of you are experiencing.
My thoughts and prayers.

I just saw this thread - I can't imagine what this much be like. Sallymo, my sympathies to your mother.

So sorry for your loss and thanks for checking in on the board. My sister's community was impacted at end of April in TN. Weather is getting so weird and unpredictable.

My 15 year old is headed to Joplin a week from Sunday for a paintball tournament in OK. He is told that Candlewood Suites is open and operational but amidst destroyed restaurants and the Wal Mart. I think he will see another side of life when he visits - probably looks a bit like a true war zone. Would love if their group (going down with about 50 others I think) could make this into a mission trip to assist but what we have been told so far is that volunteers are not yet needed, they think in a couple of more weeks they will be needed for clean-up and rebuild but focus now is on search and rescue and extra people are getting in the way. Please post if you know differently.
Thanks

Sally, I'm so sorry for your and your mother's loss. My heart goes out to you.

Sally, we are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.

I searched the local paper and the KOAM tv web sites for info on donating but there was not too much up there. For those who are interested Swanson Health products is matching $ for $ donations to the Red Cross when made on their site through June 3rd. Swanson is a long standing, reputable company that does not sell addresses.

I know when our city flooded in 2008 we had over 1,000 animals displaced and had to be cared for and a separate charity was formed to fund their care. Please let us know if there are any local charities that could use our help.

Here is a link that might be useful: Swanson Red Cross match

Sally, I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Sally, I asked you on the other board but haven't been back to see if you've replied.

How is your mom holding up? Were there a lot of deaths in the home where her DH was living?

I saw where the hospital was destroyed. Does Joplin have another?

For helping out, here in Oklahoma they're asking people to join a fire department as a volunteer, so everyone can be identified so there won't be looters and such.

I still thank God every day that He spared my son and his family. DS said the tornado (here in OK. on Tues) sounded like Niagra Falls!

I'm sure so many people in Joplin will be haunted the rest of their lives, and will also suffer PTSD.

Please keep us updated!

Checking back in with all of you. I probably need to put this post on the discussion side.

My mom is holding up OK, very sad and crying often. She was happy to go into town with my sis-in-law to get a rental car. Her insurance, State Farm, is being wonderful, and that is a lot off her mind.
Now I can't remember where I left off, but we did get a call from the nursing home that her husband died, but the morgue has not yet identified him. They will only do DNA or fingerprint ID, so it takes time and believe me when I say that group of people move extremely slow---from their first questionaire she had to fill out to the de-briefing they do while we were there. I think she will do a memorial service, and if the body is released before or after, we won't have to worry about that. She needs to move forward, it is a terrible feeling knowing she has to get through that service--I think she is dreading it very much. She can barely take going to other funerals, and this one will exhaust her, that's just the way she is, more emotional than a lot of people.
I'm attaching a couple of sites for more information, and so many have asked about giving back. I don't have a for sure place to send you, but I do know the area churches are doing a lot, if you want to send money through them. I think mom is giving some cash someone gave her to the humane society. I'm hoping they have her cats, she went to see today. They are housing all animals for as long as it takes, and they do need the extra cash. It is a new facility, and thank goodness we had it available.
There is surely a place to send donations for those without insurance, and believe me Joplin has a large rental population, and I'd bet most didn't have renters insurance. If I figure it out I'll let you know.

http://joplinhumane.org/

https://www.facebook.com/joplinmo

The facebook page has a lot of info, you might have to scroll back for awhile, so many people are posting.

Thanks so much for caring about my town. I had a good cry yesterday when I saw the 100 yr old grade school my boys attended, and the buildings around it. By the time I drove another block, I couldn't even tell where I was, no landmarks at all. And the High School makes me cry, my husband has been the principal for 9 yrs and my boys informed me that is "their home away from home" since they have hung out there for that long. My oldest is 16 and the younger son is 13, so their lives revolved around there--going to games, sitting in dad's office, and now going to school. They are bummed to say the least. I think as cleanup progresses, and new things are built up, they'll see it will all come around, just won't be the same, but possibly some will be better, huh?
Thanks for listening, I guess I needed to talk today. I'm home sewing, the shop is closed on Fridays, and I didn't want to drive into town if I could help it.

Sally, since I live so close there are lots of places in our area to either donate money or for goods that are needed.I don't remember seeing anything about the Humane Society and I think that is a good place for donations too. Can't imagine how we would feel if our "Millie" would have been found wandering around.
Can you furnish an address etc.
Tell your Mother we are all thinking about her and all others who were affected by this horrible storm.

Sally, thanks for posting in the midst of so much turmoil. I really can't imagine how you must feel right now. Your update is truly appreciated by so many here at GW.

Please come back and "talk" whenever you feel it would help you. I'm glad that posting here has been a source of support for you. So many here are praying for you and thinking about you. We are very concerned about you, your family, and your community.

Peace be with you.

Thinking about you and all those who have experienced such loss.

Sally, I'm so very sorry. We are here whenever you need to vent. Take good care~~

Sally - I am so sorry for your loss and your family's suffering. These tornados are so awful. I live in Ringgold, GA and a month after our devastating tornado, I still can't wrap my brain around it.

Sally, so sorry for your mothers loss and all that has happened. I've been through flooding and fires, but think a tornado would be so much worse. I knew it was bad when I watched a reporter (I think for the Weather channel) break down while reporting on a scene by the hospital. Please keep us posted on how you and the community as a whole are doing, we are praying for you all.

Please accept my condolences on your loss.
The people of Joplin look so caring and strong. I cried when I saw, like Lukk, the reporter crying as he saw the devastation. I can't imagine what you're going through.