Community Helps Tornado Victim's Family Pick Up Pieces

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

LITTLE AXE, Oklahoma -- A private service was held Friday afternoon for 29-year-old Tammy Rider; she was killed Monday by a tornado that leveled her home. As friends and family mourn the loss of the Newalla woman, the community is reaching out to help her family in their time of need.

Tammy Rider's best friend Jennifer Sampson said they've been friends since they were young and it's been very rough. And as she mourns over the mother of three, she and a community are also focused on helping the children who've lost everything.

Tammy's husband, Ricky Rider, was on his way home from work only to find their three small children critically injured. Tammy left behind three children; Jason, 9, who is in critical condition, Ethan, 3, who is in serious condition and Regan, 1, who is in fair condition.

A local radio station owned by Citadel Broadcasting Corporation is also holding a donation drive for the Rider family. Since the word spread about the drive, an overwhelming amount of support has poured in from the community.

"People have been donating clothes to help the children and within 45 minutes of the broadcast, we're flooded with donations for the Rider family," Randy Stephens, a radio station employee, told NEWS 9.

Meanwhile, Sampson is taking donations at the daycare Where the Heart Is, on the corner of Western and 104th Street in Moore. The family is in need of clothes, toys, food, toiletries and monetary donations to help with medical and funeral expenses.

The following are also items needed for the children and Tammy's husband, Rick Rider:

Boy, age 9: size 10 clothes, size 5 shoe

Boy, age 3: size 4t clothes, size 9 toddler shoe

Girl, age 1: size 2t clothes, size 11 shoe

Father, Rick: size 38 jeans, 2xL shirt, size 11 shoe

A memorial fund for the Rider family has been set up at the Bank of Oklahoma and Chickasha Bank and Trust. Donations can be made at any location.