The Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City and Jewish Federation of St. Louis continue to help victims of tornado-ravaged Joplin, Mo., through emergency relief fundraising efforts. To date, the two Jewish federations have raised $226,000 — $176,000 by the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City and another $50,000 by the Jewish Federation of St. Louis.
Kansas City, which considers Joplin a neighboring community, raised funds from board allocations, individual donations and from Jewish federations and foundations across the country.
“Because our network of Jewish federations is uniquely situated to respond quickly during an emergency, within 24 hours of the tornado, donations started pouring in,” said Todd L. Stettner, executive vice president and CEO of the Greater Kansas City Federation.
And donations continue to roll in from across North America.
The money raised has directly assisted residents of Joplin via partner agencies Heart to Heart International, which continues to provide medical assistance and basic care kits to tornado victims; and Salvation Army and United Way, which have provided everything from immediate basic necessities like food, shelter and clothing to ongoing assistance, including mental health counseling, job training, and money to help with rent, utilities and to help rebuild homes.
“The response to our Tornado Relief Fund has been unbelievable,” said Bill Carr, ‘resident, Greater Kansas City Federation. “On behalf of the Jewish federations in Kansas City and St. Louis, I personally want to thank all of the individuals — from all over North America — who stepped up to help our neighbors in Joplin.”
Once the tornado hit — the deadliest in American history with 139 deaths and thousands of homes and businesses damaged or destroyed — the two Missouri-based Jewish federations acted quickly to begin raising much-needed emergency assistance funds.
“Jewish Federation of St. Louis worked immediately and closely with the United Way of St. Louis, which provided excellent guidance regarding Joplin’s community needs,” said President Sanford Neuman. “Our St. Louis Jewish community response has been amazing. While Jewish Federation of St. Louis collected emergency donations, our agencies and congregations not only raised money but collected needed supplies. For example, Congregation United Hebrew sent a pickup truck, cargo van and UHaul truck to Joplin loaded with urgent supplies requested by the Joplin Jewish community. Just like our colleagues in Kansas City, we knew it was important to get emergency assistance money and supplies to those who needed them, as quickly as possible.”
Working together, Barry Rosenberg, Jewish Federation of St. Louis executive vice president, and Stettner discovered that the one Joplin synagogue was intact, and the five Jewish families in Joplin who lost their homes had the assistance they needed. However, both Jewish federations acted as their community liaisons, providing information to Jewish service organizations and synagogues in their cities, and linking community partner agencies and individuals together for concerted volunteer efforts.
“This was a no-brainer for us,” said Carr. “It was an easy decision for us to act in our continued role to mobilize the community and provide a local ‘Jewish’ response to the challenges they face now and in the future as they rebuild their lives.”
To donate to the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City tornado fund, go to www.jewishkansascity.org, or mail to The Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City, Attn: Kansas-Missouri Tornado Relief Fund, 5801 W. 115 St., Suite 201, Overland Park, KS 66211.
To donate to the Jewish Federation of St. Louis Joplin tornado relief fund, go to www.JewishInStLouis.org/JOPLIN or make your check payable to Jewish Federation of St. Louis – Joplin Relief and mail to 12 Millstone Campus Drive, St. Louis, MO 63146.
Jewish Federations of North America and its affiliate Jewish Federations are committed to care for victims of global natural disasters, and have emergency relief plans into place to aid those in need. Jewish Federations have so far raised more than $1 million to help those affected by the recent earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis in Japan, more than $30 million to help victims of Hurricane Katrina, and $10 million for those affected by the southern Asia tsunami in 2004.