Medicines and Emergency Aid Rushed to Joplin

The terrible tragedies the United States have suffered due to natural disasters in the past 2 weeks have resulted in crushing need. Floods, wildfires and now tornadoes. The extent of the pain people are suffering due to the tornadoes on May 22 in Joplin, MO where over 125 were killed, and more killed in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas 2 days later -- is so palpable I find myself cringing.

"But our Flag Was Still There" -- By el clinto: May 23, 2011

The stories of people losing their loved ones are so hard to watch - like Hank and Catherine Hamil in Piedmont, OK who lost both sons - ages 3 and 15 months. Terrible and so hard to go on living. But live they must because Catherine is pregnant with their 4th child. This new baby will grow up never knowing his brothers. Someday they will all be reunited but for now the pain is unimaginable. Please keep them all in your prayers.

And with that I am letting you know we have just added another option to direct your proceeds - to the U.S. Disaster Relief Fund through AmeriCares, a 4-star charity as evaluated by Charity Navigator. They have been posting on Facebook and Twitter about shipments of aid they are rushing to Joplin, including badly needed medicines, emergency supplies and bottled water. They just announced that any donations made to AmeriCares by May 31 will be matched up to $100,000.