Could Use Prayers/Good Vibes

[OboeGal]

You must have been terribly frightened Oboe Gal. I too live in the Midwest and the one thing that always strikes me are the people who do everything they can to help others in these situations. It always seems as quickly as people get their bearings, even amongst the all damage, they always get out to help others who are less fortune and offer help and support. It always restores my faith in humanity. We are all so much better when we are helping others. Have you heard of any sites that are set up to directly help the people in your area? I checked the Red Cross to see if they had a a drop down where money donated will go directly to your area and didn’t find one. I will check again tomorrow. I’m so sorry honey and I hope it helps to know you have a people who want to help the people in your area.
Hugs, Callie

Thank you for reminding me of the good things to look for, @Calliecake - that's a message I seem to need to hear fairly often these days. And that's so sweet and generous of you to consider donating! Here is a link to one of the local news affiliate's page with suggestions for helping: https://www.whio.com/news/local/tornado-relief-how-you-can-help/fhfPMN6EiNYC2IBdPtRtwL/amp.html (It seems that most of the suggestions are more oriented toward people who are local, but it looks like donations could be made online to the Dayton Food Bank and to Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley. The link for Catholic Social Services is in the article, and the Dayton Food Bank is taking donations specifically for the Dayton operation at https://thefoodbankdayton.org/donate/)
At the website for the Red Cross, I see what you mean about online donations; it seems that all you can do online is specify that it's for disaster relief and they will apply it as they see fit. It looks like donating to a specific one of their efforts can only be done by filling out this form and mailing it with a check marked for that effort: https://www.redcross.org/content/da...ing___Fundraising/redcross_donate_by_mail.pdf (This seems really cumbersome to me. I wish they didn't make it so difficult for people to be specific in their donations.)
There is a list online of where shelters are in the different affected neighborhoods and communities, in various school buildings, community centers, fire stations, and churches. Some are sponsored and run by the Red Cross ; others are being run by the specific churches, organizations, or private businesses. I don't know if any are taking donations; if I find that they are and are legitimate, I will pass on that info.

Again - many thanks to all.

 

[OboeGal]

@OboeGal

Wow, that is so scary. I am very sorry for the loss of life and property in your state, but am glad that your family and instruments (oboe, english horn, oboe d'amore) are okay.
We have a grab-and-go bag ready for earthquakes and wildfires in CA. Last year we had a close call and like you, I had my jewelry and my primary 14k flute by the front door. I would leave my two backup flutes, my piccolo, and my alto flute behind.

I hope the weather improves for all of you soon. Sending positive thoughts your way.

I'm so glad your close call ended up being only that! I find the wildfires you all out west deal with to be as terrifying as tornadoes - they are so devastating and so frightening in their speed! My heart has ached watching that. You are much more sensible than me in deciding what to grab! The double reeds were right in tight with us (along with the reeds themselves - I'm sure you well understand how critical we consider those!), and I also dragged my soprano, alto, and tenor saxes and my clarinet down to the basement, but there was no way we could fit them in under the stairs, too. I didn't bring my flute, but that is only because it's just a basic Pearl 765 with the standard headjoint that I'm just starting to work on over the last year, and I wouldn't mind a good excuse to get myself a better one!

 

[Arcadian]

My goodness, I'm so sorry you're going through this! My folks in the KC area had to hunker down because of tornadoes there.

This is going to be one hell of a summer it appears.

 

[Castle Point]

I am so sorry for what you are going through. My deepest prayers for you and all those who have been affected.

 

[KristyDarling]

OMG Oboegal - I'm so so glad you're all OK and that your neighborhood was spared. I can't even fathom how terrifying that must have been!! I'll be keeping your community in my thoughts.