Gratefully giving

By Nancy Black

My friend answered the phone crying. I was calling to cancel our meeting. It was Saturday morning. 

She was emotionally distraught because she was watching news coverage of tornadoes, which had just devastated five states overnight. I was canceling because I was sick with a cold and had been asleep since about six o’clock Friday evening, oblivious to the previous night’s weather events. Her grief was palpable; she was beside herself with anguish.

When I turned on the TV after our phone call ended, I realized the magnitude of what my friend had tried to express with her words. Seeing the images of those towns flattened, the buildings destroyed, and homes uprooted made me want to cry, too. 

Our tears won’t help those people in Kentucky and those other states, though. I do believe in the power of prayer, and I am praying earnestly to ease the pain of those affected by this terrible tragedy. But what else can I, or anyone else miles or states away, do to help those in need? My friend is giving money. I’m giving blood. Both are truly needed and much appreciated.

If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Tornado Relief Fund, visit redcross.org. 

If you would like to schedule an appointment to donate blood, visit CarterBloodCare.org or call 1-800-366-2834.

A donation to state and local animal shelters in the areas demolished is another way we can lend a helping hand. WPSD Local 6, the NBC affiliate station in western Kentucky, has a list of resources for animal owners impacted by the tornadoes and storms, and a list of companies accepting donations. Visit wpsdlocal6.com for hyper local ways to help. 

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has already evacuated more than 100 cats and dogs from Kentucky-based shelters to free up space and resources to care for all the displaced pets in impacted communities. Those wishing to donate to the ASPCA can visit aspca.org for more information.

It’s only been two years since terrible tornados tore through Dallas. Unlike the tornado events of last week, no lives were lost. Of course, many suffered terrible losses of property, businesses and homes. We rebuilt, though, and recovered as those affected in Kentucky and elsewhere last week will, too. Whether you donate blood, money or time, please consider giving to those in need now.