7 ways people from Kansas City can help the residents of Joplin recover from the Tornado damage

Although Joplin is a few hours away, here are 7 ways you can help the people of Joplin recover from the Tornado damage.

Donation Sites for Joplin Relief:

1) If anyone is in the south Overland Park area and would like to donate. Donate at the Blue Valley Southwest High School.

Please help us to Fill the Gym for Joplin. We are working with the Salvation Army to collect bottled water and non-perishable food items for the survivors of the recent disaster in Joplin, Missouri. After we collect the items and fill up the gym, the Salvation Army will pick up donations and take them Joplin to their distribution centers. We know many people want to help and this is an easy way to do so. We will have student volunteers available on the south side of the building by the auxiliary gym on Friday, May 27th from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. to collect your donations of bottled water and non-perishable food. Please pass this information on to any friends or groups that you know would like to help. We want this to be a true community effort.

Sincerely,

Scott Roberts

Principal

Blue Valley Southwest High School

17600 Quivira

Overland Park, KS 66062

If you have questions, please send an email to mfisher02@bluevalleyk12.org. Thank you.

2) Heart to Heart International is asking medical volunteers to contact the organization at 913-764-5200. The general public can make financial contributions or pack hygiene kits. To learn how to pack the kits or to help in other ways, go to www.hearttoheart.org. Heart to Heart sent medical volunteers to Joplin Sunday night and has since deployed its mobile health clinic to the region for further medical aid.

3) The Community Blood Center is asking area residents to donate blood this week. To find a mobile blood drive, go to www.savealifenow.org or call 1-888-647-4040. Donors can also go to one of Community Blood Center’s seven neighborhood donation centers.

4) Spin Neapolitan Pizza will collect money at its four locations through at least Friday or until it raises $2,500 in donations. The pizza company also will match the total donated up to $2,500. The proceeds will go to assist Heart to Heart International. Spin has locations at 4950 Main St. in Kansas City; 1808 N.W. Chipman Road in Lee’s Summit; 6541 W. 119th St. in Overland Park and 14230 W. 119th St. in Olathe.

5) The Kansas City Royals will be collecting cash donations and hygiene kits Thursday and Friday from 9:30 am to 8:30 pm in Lot M, which is the lot between the two stadiums. For more info about hygiene kits, go to http://hearttoheart.org.  You can also drop off work gloves, work boots, plus flashlights and batteries.

6) The KC Red Cross chapter is holding an emergency blood drive from 2 to 7 p.m. on 211 W. Armour Boulevard in KCMO (according to many tweets and re-tweets) DONATE BLOOD. For more donation sites, visit the following links.

• click here for American Red Cross of Greater Kansas City blood donation dates and locations
• click here for Community Blood Center of Kansas City donation dates and locations

7)  Have some fun at the Kansas Speedway and help Joplin Relief. The Kansas Speedway is making use of its biggest asset — the racetrack.

A $25 donation to the American Red Cross means a chance to take a spin (in your personal vehicle) around Kansas Speedway from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on June 24. A $50 donation means less wait time — the drive date is 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on June 19 from, which would be the first event under the new Speedway lights.

View pictures of the Joplin Tornado destruction.

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Blog post written by the Dowell Taggart Team of RE/MAX Premier Realty

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