Girls Give Up Gifts To Help Storm Victims

Even youngsters are stepping up and doing their part to help those affected by the Picher tornado.  They include 12-year-old Kenzi McFarland and 12-year-old Katherine Powell of Wagoner.  The News On 6's Steve Berg reports the two girls' birthdays are about a week apart and instead of presents, they asked their classmates to give a donation to the people of Picher.

Wagoner is a long way from Picher.  Neither Kenzi McFarland nor Katherine Powell has ever been there.  But, Katherine's older sister asked them if they'd dedicate their birthdays to the relief effort.

"My mom asked me and told me to ask Kenzi, and we just kind of went from there," said Katherine Powell.

"I saw how devastating it was, and I saw the little thing on the News on 6 that they said they were taking donations for the Red Cross," said Katherine's sister, Lauren Powell.

"We were best friends and we just wanted to do it together," said Kenzi McFarland.

The entire 6th grade class got into the act with water-pistol fights, potato-sack races, and boys versus girls in a tug-of-war.

"Tug of war where the girls won.  They won every time," said Katherine Powell.

Not surprising probably, considering how tough they had to be to give up all their presents on their 12th birthday.  But, the girls never hesitated says Lauren.

And they say it's nothing compared to the devastated homes in Picher.

"And one, the water was completely over it.  It looked scary," said Kenzi McFarland.  "I watched one where their pets were gone, and they didn't know where they were.  And, I have lots of dogs, and I would be really sad if I didn't know where they were."

"I just hope that other people get the same idea and help, because we never know when ourself, we're going to be in need or something," said Lauren Powell.