Businesses, Organizations Benefit Oklahoma Tornado Relief

Businesses and organizations across Oklahoma and the entire country are stepping up to help those who are affected by the massive tornado that swept through the Moore area Monday afternoon.

Tuesday, May 21st 2013, 6:04 pm

By: News 9


Businesses and organizations across Oklahoma and the entire country are stepping up to help those who are affected by the massive tornado that swept through the Moore area Monday afternoon.

Wal-Mart

Walmart is pledging $1 million in cash and in-kind donations to help ensure the essential needs of residents are being met. Officials are directing truckloads of water, food and other basic items to the area to help the community during this difficult time. They'll continue to work closely with the Salvation Army, Red Cross and other agencies to monitor further ways to help.

Cox

Cox Enterprises, in partnership with The James M. Cox Foundation, announced $1 million in support to assist the relief and recovery efforts of the communities affected by the recent tornadoes in Oklahoma. The contribution includes a $500,000 cash donation to the American Red Cross and $500,000 of in-kind support, including public service announcements.

"Cox Enterprises is committed to supporting the victims of this terrible storm," said Jim Kennedy, chairman of Cox Enterprises. "As a company that operates multiple businesses in Oklahoma, we are committed to helping our employees and the communities we serve recover from this disaster. In providing this assistance, we also encourage others to support the local relief and recovery efforts."

Cox Enterprises operates multiple companies in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, including: Cox Communications, TRA Oklahoma City, TRA Tulsa, News Talk KRMG, Fox23, My41, News Talk KRMG, K95, Mix 96 and Rock 103.

"In this difficult time of recovery and rebuilding, our hearts go out to the families affected by the tornadoes," said Percy Kirk, senior vice president and general manager, Cox Communications Oklahoma. "This gift is a symbol of our commitment to our community and it is our hope that it will provide comfort and relief to many."

In addition to the cash donation and in-kind public service announcements, Cox's local media properties in Tulsa are hosting a series of community fundraisers.

Cox's impacted employees also have the opportunity to receive support through the Cox Employee Relief Fund (CERF). Created in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the fund provides essential assistance to Cox employees and their families who are impacted by disasters. Since 2005, CERF has provided more than $3 million to assist more than 1,600 employees affected by hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires and other devastating events.

Individuals interested in supporting the American Red Cross can make donations at http://www.redcross.org/charitable-donations.

Chase

Chase Bank officials say they will donate up to $500,000 to support Oklahoma as residents begin the difficult recovery, after tornadoes swept through Moore and communities near the capital city Monday.

Chase will make grants of $350,000 and match employee donations up to $150,000. The grants will be distributed to these relief agencies:

• American Red Cross - $75,000

• World Vision - $75,000

• Convoy of Hope - $100,000

• United Way of Central Oklahoma - $100,000

Complete Coverage: May 2013 Tornado Outbreak

"Each of these fine organizations are working tirelessly to respond to the devastation in our community," said David Page, president of Chase in Oklahoma. "Our thoughts and prayers are with our neighbors who have been impacted by this terrible storm."

Consumers can donate at ATMs: Starting later this week, consumers can donate $5 to the American Red Cross at 14,000 Chase ATMs across the country.

Waiving Fees: To help customers, Chase will waive many fees for customers across Cleveland, Lincoln, McClain, Oklahoma and Pottawatomie counties. Through June 4, Chase is proactively:

• Waiving Overdraft Protection Transfer, Extended Overdraft, Returned Item and Insufficient Funds fees as well as non-Chase ATM fees on deposit accounts

• Waiving late and insufficient funds fees on credit cards, business and consumer loans, including mortgages, home-equity, auto and student loans

Longer hours, key supplies. Chase will extend branch hours at branches near the impacted area. The five branches closest to Moore will have bottled water, power strips, extension cords, flashlights, batteries, coolers and other supplies to share with customers.

"We will do our part to help our resilient neighbors as they show such tremendous courage in the face of adversity," said Carrie Boyles, senior vice president and head of the 30 Chase branches across Oklahoma.

The following branches will be open longer to offer the community access to the banking services that are so important after a disaster of this magnitude.

South Western & 119th

Today-Friday: Open until 6 p.m.

Saturday: Open until 5 p.m.

Sunday: Open 1 to 5 p.m.

Monday/Memorial Day: Open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Walker & I-240

Today-Friday: Open until 6 p.m.

Saturday: Open until 5 p.m.

Penn & I-240

Today-Friday: Open until 6 p.m.

Saturday: Open until 5 p.m.

Koch Industries, Inc.

Koch Industries, Inc. is making a $1 million donation to support relief efforts in Oklahoma following the tornadoes that devastated the cities of Moore and Shawnee, and affected other areas of the state this week.

Half of that amount will be given to the OK Strong Disaster Relief Fund established by Governor Mary Fallin in coordination with the United Way of Central Oklahoma. The other half will go to the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army to help affected families with their most urgent needs, including housing, transportation, clothing and more. In addition, Georgia-Pacific, a Koch company, has donated six truckloads of products from its Muskogee, Okla., Fort Smith, Ark. and Naheola, Ala. facilities including Angel Soft® and Quilted Northern® bath tissue, Sparkle® paper towels, Dixie® cups and plates, and Mardi Gras® napkins.

"Koch has deep roots in Oklahoma, and we want the communities of Moore, Shawnee and others throughout the state to know we stand with them and pray for them as they begin the difficult process of rebuilding their lives," said Dave Robertson, president and COO of Koch Industries, Inc.

Several Koch companies have a presence in Oklahoma, including Georgia-Pacific in Muskogee; Koch Nitrogen Company in Enid; and John Zink Hamworthy Combustion in Tulsa, with a total of nearly 2,000 employees.

Convoy of Hope

The first of Convoy of Hope's disaster response vehicles arrived in Moore, Okla., on Tuesday. After Monday's deadly tornado, a point of distribution is now being staged where emergency food, water and relief supplies will be provided to survivors.

"What we're doing now is coordinating with partners and assessing where we will be most beneficial in the recovery process," says Paul Coroleuski, field services director. "We've got three tractor-trailers full of water, food and cleaning supplies ready for distribution."

Along with the tractor-trailers, Convoy of Hope deployed its disaster response mobile command center, a box truck and debris removal equipment. The organization will continue to coordinate additional loads of relief supplies and the deployment of more team members in the coming days. Please visit The Hope Supply [The Hope Supply] for our latest updates.

Verizon Wireless

Verizon is calling on its employees and customers to join in assisting the victims of the May 19-20 tornadoes that swept through the Oklahoma City area. Verizon has committed $100,000 in grants to disaster relief in the area, and the Verizon Foundation will provide a 1-to-1 match of employee online donations (from $25 up to $1,000 per employee) to the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

Verizon Wireless customers can make a $10 donation by texting REDCROSS to 90999 to support the American Red Cross. Text messaging fees will be waived and 100 percent of each donation goes directly to the Red Cross. Verizon Wireless customers who pay monthly bills will see their donations on their next regular monthly bill. For customers using the company's prepaid services, donations will be taken from their prepaid balances.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of these horrific storms," said Dean Taylor, Verizon Wireless president-Oklahoma. "Verizon employees work and live in these communities, and we're committed to supporting our neighbors in Moore, Shawnee and other communities in the Oklahoma City area."

Myriad Gardens, Prodigal and the Wise Guys Stage Concerts to Benefit Red Cross Tornado Relief Efforts May 31 and July 19

Oklahoma City - The Oklahoma Standard is more than a phrase, it's just how we do things here in our great state. We help each other when disaster strikes. We give of our resources in whatever ways we can.

In the case of the Myriad Botanical Gardens, we have a beautiful public green space that can be used to make people feel a little better and raise needed funds and supplies and that's just what we're going to do.

Oklahoma City's favorite party band, The Wise Guys, had already committed to a free series of family-oriented concerts, produced by Prodigal at the Myriad Gardens. Now, those concerts serve a bigger purpose – fundraising and supply gathering. Members of the Wise Guys have pledged to donate their fees, and the Myriad Botanical Gardens will contribute proceeds as well. Monies raised those evenings will be donated to the Red Cross' tornado relief fund.

"We'll pass the hat, or in our case, maybe push a garden wheelbarrow through the crowd, and ask people to give whatever they're comfortable giving. We had initially planned to do these concerts to benefit the Children's Garden and other projects, but when the tornado hit Moore, we immediately knew we wanted to change direction and help," said Myriad Gardens Foundation Executive Director Maureen Heffernan.

Folks are encouraged to come down and enjoy the evening, but also to bring needed supplies: sunscreen, bottled water, packaged snacks, hand sanitizer, diapers, wipes, toiletry items, formula and sports drinks like Gatorade are requested. The Myriad Gardens will have collection stations set up for the evenings.

The concerts are from 8-10 p.m., May 31 and July 19 on the Great Lawn at the Myriad Botanical Gardens. Learn more by calling 445-7080 or visit www.myriadgardens.org.

Food truck association rallies to feed recovery effort

Local food truck owners are working with the Fraternal Order of Police to help feed residents and recovery workers in Moore.

According to Alan Bouda, owner of Wild Al's Food Truck and president of the Oklahoma City Food Truck Association, food trucks will gather tonight at 7 p.m. at Lowe's Home Improvement, located at 1501 S. I-35 Service Rd., and serve free food as long as supplies last.

The trucks will be there every evening at approximately the same time while recovery efforts continue.

Companies donating food and supplies for the food trucks include US Foods, Enid-based Advance Food Co. and Kelley Brokerage, an Oklahoma City-based food company.

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