Oklahomans Collect Donations, Supplies For Tornado, Flood Victims

Tara Vreeland, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Oklahomans are reaching out to help storm victims in our state and in the southeast.

A Eufaula family with relatives in Alabama is also collecting supplies to take to smaller communities in that state.

Tulsa Police are taking donations through the 10-4 program for tornado stricken first responders.

5/2/2011 Related Story: Tulsa Police To Help In Tornado Relief In Alabama, Mississippi

The area Red Cross is providing help for many Oklahomans, both tornado victims in Tushka and flood victims affected by last week's heavy rain. News On 6 has partnered with the Red Cross at Jim Glover Chevrolet. Jim Glover has made a generous donation himself and encourages others to help in any way they can.

The Forbes family is trying to fill a 26-foot U-Haul with supplies.

"Everything helps and some people have donated cash. I will stop, use that, and buy more. We'll get that truck as full as we can," Gloria Forbes said.

Chris Waid says he was born and raised in Tuscaloosa. He and his wife, Amber, live in Bixby now and say the monster tornado that roared across their home state was surreal.

Amber Waid: "This seemed to just level everything. The whole landscape is different now."
Chris Waid: "It was just like wow. That happened there?"

Like many Oklahomans who are uncomfortably familiar with the destruction a tornado leaves in its wake, the Waid's wanted to help.

"Anything I can do to help the people in a state where I'm from. I love the state so much and it's done so much for me growing up there," Chris said.

"Those people in Mississippi and Alabama, you know they've lost everything. What little bit we do for them, I think we can help them," Chief Doug Woods, Chief of Training for Tulsa Fire Department, said.

The Forbes picked up a few donations dropped off at the Tulsa Fire Department Training Center.

Whether it's filled with love, hope and helping hands, or supplies the Oklahoma truck is Alabama bound.

"We're ready to go," Gloria said. "We've got a couple more stops to pick up stuff and we'll be there. We're on our way."

You can drop by the dealership at 31st and Memorial to make donations. Red Cross volunteers will be taking cash, check or credit card information until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday.

After that, you can drop off cash or check donations till the dealership closes at 9:00 p.m.