Joplin Relief Funds Established

June 1, 2011

Jefferson County (Mo.) Library Director Pam Klipsch has compiled a list of local relief funds established to aid the library and education communities. Here is her June 1 email, which was sent to several library discussion lists:

  • Joplin Public Library has established a fund to assist the 10 employees who lost their homes and were injured during the tornado. Please send checks to the Joplin Public Library Staff Relief Fund, c/o Jacque Gage, Joplin Public Library, 300 South Main Street, Joplin MO 64801. The library is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/joplinpubliclibrary and messages of support are appreciated.
  • The Missouri Southern State University Foundation has also established a fund to assist faculty, staff, and students who lost their homes and were injured during the tornado. You can donate online at www.mssu.edu then click on Giving, or by sending a check to Missouri Southern Foundation, 3950 East Newman Road, Joplin MO 64801. Please write: Tornado Emergency Relief Fund on the memo line of the check.
  • The Joplin Public Schools were very hard hit by the tornado. Seven students and one staff member were killed, and many have lost their homes and were injured. Three schools, including the high school, were completely destroyed; three schools were severely damaged, two schools have possible roof damage, and several district support facilities were damaged. The school district has also established a relief fund. You can donate at any U.S. Bank in the country or send checks to Joplin Schools Tornado Relief Fund, Attn: Kim Vann, 102 North Gray Avenue, Joplin MO 64801. You can follow the Joplin Schools’ recovery on their website.
  • St. John’s Regional Medical Center was severely damaged by the tornado and six people were killed. Many hospital employees lost their homes and were injured. The medical librarian and her family are safe and unhurt. The hospital has already established a temporary facility to continue to treat patients. You can donate to Mercy Co-Worker Tornado Relief online by clicking on Donate Now.

ALA has also heard from the Missouri Association for School Librarians (MASL), which has established the Joplin Funds4Books Fundraiser in partnership with Mackin Educational Resources. Mackin has agreed to make 100% of the funds donated to librarians who have lost their libraries so they can purchase materials through Mackin, which will provide free shipping. Mackin is also matching 10% of every $100 donated at its dedicated webpage.

Other suggestions for contributing to the recovery in Joplin are posted on MASL’s Help Joplin webpage.

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