When disaster struck the area on April 27, 2011, the Red Cross was there.  Within hours of the first tornado strike, Red Cross volunteers were mobilized, opening shelters and assisting those in need.  Standing side by side with these incredible volunteers were thousands of others who were moved to provide financial assistance needed to mount one of the largest relief efforts this area has ever seen. 
While some of the most memorable images are of clients who just needed a shoulder to lean on, the Red Cross also:

• Registered 559 people in 6 Red Cross Shelters
• Served 45,000 meals  and provided 44,000 snacks
• Visited 2,000 homes throughout the impact area, conducting damage assessments, delivering food and providing information and emotional support
• Distributed 385 clean up kits
• Gave out 1,481 comfort kits containing tooth brushes, blankets, etc.
• Provided 146 Jumpstart to Recovery Kits
• Trained and processed 206 spontaneous volunteers
• Served 714 clients in opened cases
• Had more than 1,400 health and mental health service contacts

All this was accomplished through the hard work of more than 750 local, regional and national staffers and volunteers who assisted in the operation.
MANY THANKS to the scores of volunteers and donors who gave freely of their time and treasure to help those who lost so much during this horrendous disaster.   We wish we could list each of you here -- but we wouldn’t be able to do so without missing someone important.  Please know that your generosity and compassion is what makes this community great!