NSU partners for Joplin relief effort

Tahlequah, Okla. To assist with the relief effort in Joplin, Mo., Northeastern State University is assisting community partners to facilitate delivery of aid from the campus community and northeastern Oklahoma.

NSU President Don Betz said the university community immediately sought ways to help the people of Joplin when Monday morning reports indicated the scale of damage.

All of you are aware of the serious circumstances facing the citizens of Joplin and the surrounding areas, Dr. Betz said. "Northeastern State University, along with our community partners, are responding appropriately. Collection drop points are available throughout Tahlequah to collect necessities for those hardest hit by the tornadoes.

We are in a period with the Joplin relief where we focus on relief and rescue. We will continue to monitor the needs of our neighbors in Southwest Missouri not just today but in the weeks and months ahead.

Laura Boren, dean of student affairs, reported that while search and rescue operations continue in Joplin only trained professionals are needed on site.

The most important thing people can do now is donate funds or products, Boren said. The people of Joplin need basics such as food, clothing and blankets.

According to Boren, the community can support immediate relief to Joplin by donating to Stuff the Truck for Joplin, supported by the Tahlequah Chamber of Commerce, NSU and the Cherokee Nation. Items most greatly needed include can openers, batteries, diapers, hygiene products, paper plates and eating utensils, paper towels, toilet tissue and cleaning supplies. Ideal food items for donation include formula, canned foods meats, beans, peas, fruits boxed foods, peanut butter, dried beans, dry pasta and rice.

Community members can take their items to the NSU drop centers, open 9 a.m. 5 p.m. throughout the week at the student activities office in the University Center of the Tahlequah campus, the student affairs office in Administration at NSU-Broken Arrow and at the administration office on the Muskogee campus.

Donations will be delivered to the southwest Missouri food bank Ozark Food Harvest, non-profit agencies supporting the Boys and Girls Club of Springfield and The Bridge, which Missouri Southern State University is utilizing as a donation and
resource site.

Monetary donations should be made to organizations and charities with which the donor is familiar and through a secure server if the contribution is made online.

Additional relief plans from Northeastern include:

• RiverHawk Care, an on-campus facilitation program in which individuals can adopt an affected individual/family and help provide them with much-needed items
• On-campus counseling services for those needing assistance
• On-campus blood drives with dates TBD

Long-term aid efforts from the university are forthcoming. NSU Joplin work teams will embark on day trips when volunteer opportunities are announced. Dates will be established after search and rescue efforts are complete.