How to Help Victims of the Oklahoma Tornado

Donating money to organizations that help victims is quick and easy.

Americans across the country are reacting with shock to the devastation caused by a two-mile wide Tornado in Oklahoma. Dozens have died, and President Obama has declared the path of the tornado a major disaster area. If you would like to help, you can do so from your computer or mobile device right now. Patch will be posting stories of locals who are working to help victims from afar. If you know of someone local was affected by the tornado or who is working to help the victims, please contact your local editor.

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Red Cross Seeking Blood Donations In Coming Weeks

No official charities set up for the aftermath of the explosion at the Boston Marathon finish line yet.

  After the explosions that rocked the Boston Marathon's Copley Square finish line yesterday, a number of readers have asked how they can help. The Red Cross reports that they have enough blood donations and financial resources available for the current needs, but are requesting blood donations and blood drives in the coming weeks. From the statement released by the Red Cross yesterday:  We also know that many people want to help. Thanks to the generosity of volunteer blood donors, there is currently enough blood on the shelves to meet patient needs. The Red Cross also has the financial resources it needs to support this event right now. We are asking those who want to help to make an appointment to give blood in the coming weeks and …

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Dedham Resident Helps Hurricane Sandy Victims

  American Red Cross volunteers from Eastern Massachusetts, after working in our communities during Hurricane Sandy, are accepting deployments to states devastated by the superstorm. Rodger Nappier of Dedham, whose Red Cross specialty is feeding, has been deployed to New York. Feeding specialists provide snacks, meals, and drinks using Emergency Response Vehicles or others on routes within the impacted area or at a fixed location such as a community center. The American Red Cross has mobilized more than 5,700 disaster workers from all over the country who have served more than 6 million meals and snacks so far. We have also activated our entire fleet of response vehicles and handed out more than 2 million relief items. Rodger Nappier, in …

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Dedham Resident Helps Hurricane Sandy Victims in New York

Jon Abrams of Dedham, is helping those in need after Hurricane Sandy. But the Red Cross is still in need of volunteers.

  American Red Cross volunteers from Eastern Massachusetts, after working in our communities during Hurricane Sandy, are accepting deployments to states devastated by the superstorm. Jon Abrams of Dedham, whose Red Cross specialty is disaster fundraising, has deployed to the New York region. The disaster fundraising specialist helps gather stories as the event unfolds and helps raise money quickly to help us pay for the meals, shelters and even blankets needed in a crisis. The American Red Cross has mobilized more than 2,000 disaster workers from all over the country who have served more than 25,000 meals and snacks so far. We have also activated 167 response vehicles and shipped in more than 230,000 ready-to-eat meals. Jon Abrams, in …

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Dedham Firefighters Calling for Residents to Donate Items for Tornado-Ravaged Areas

A collection at the two Dedham firehouses will go on between now and Thursday, June 9.

The Dedham Fire Department is taking up a collection of materials needed immediately to help tornado-ravaged towns in western Massachusetts, DFD Deputy John Fontaine said Monday. Less than two hours west, people are still combing the wreckage and trying to salvage what they can of their homes.  "There's a lot of devastation. It is hard to believe," Fontaine said. Firefighters from other departments in the eastern part of the state returned last week and asked fellow departments to help collect assorted items. Those departments will transport the goods back to western Massachusetts this weekend. "They maybe have a partial home tha tthey want to get covered and dget secured," Fontaine said. Requested items are: "Obviously people can donate …

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