Oklahoma Couple Collecting Donations For Victims Of Hurricane Ida

A Green Country couple is trying to collect donations for families struggling after Hurricane Ida. 

The couple is partnering with Louisiana pastors and are gathering a list of items needed to get people back up on their feet.

The Hildebrandt family is no stranger to helping out - their kids have been all over the world doing mission work.

"I think they have started to realize over the course of the time that at the very least, there are people around to help," said Adam Hildebrandt with Praying Pelican Missions. “You know, ‘look for the helpers,’ is a Daniel Tiger thing that our kids have learned from. They have gotten to not only see help but at times, be help.”

Adam and Carissa Hildebrandt work with Praying Pelican Missions, a nonprofit that partners with local churches to help people in need.

"Carissa's role within Praying Pelican is mostly disaster response right now," said Adam. 

When disaster strikes, their family shows up; sometimes one member, sometimes the whole crew.

"They get to see what a smile and a laugh brings in a time of darkness," said Adam. 

Carissa is heading to Louisiana and since the cell service is incredibly spotty, News On 6’s call cut out a few times.

"Right now, we are at Walmart. We got a message that the local Sheriff is requesting personal hygiene items, ice, water, and a couple of tarps," said Carissa. 

She has contacted pastors in Louisiana who gave her lists of items their churches need to help families recovering after the hurricane. Adam is back home, trying to get our community to help with donations.

"Bottled water, hand sanitizer, masks, Clorox wipes, diapers and baby wipes, generators we can take generators with us. Lowes or Home Depot gift cards," said Adam. 

If you have donations to drop off, you can ring the doorbell at Anthem Church in Broken Arrow at 7777 South Garnett Road and hand the items directly to whoever answers or just place them on the cart near the door. 

You can find a list of the needed items below.