OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma has already endured a string of devastating weather events this year, including tornadoes and fires, leaving many families in urgent need of assistance.
March marks Red Cross Month, shining a spotlight on the critical role volunteers play in disaster response. As part of National Giving Day, the Red Cross has launched a 24-hour campaign encouraging Oklahomans to contribute through donations, blood drives, or volunteer efforts.
Leaders from the American Red Cross say every contribution helps deliver shelter, essential supplies, and financial aid to families during their most difficult moments.
News 9 spoke with Central and Southwest Oklahoma—American Red Cross Executive Director Loida Haffener Salmond and board member Kathy Frankenfield to learn more.
What can you tell us about this?
Salmond: It’s not a matter of if, it’s when it’s going to happen, especially here in Oklahoma. We are very fortunate. The Red Cross has been around for 145 years, and as we know, we have a lot of tornadoes and home fires. In both cases, we really depend on neighbors helping neighbors to meet the need when you are in your darkest hours.
What do you do when Red Cross shows up? What is the help that families are receiving here in Oklahoma?
Salmond: Well, I think the very first thing is we want to be that person who really shows that humanitarian side, so we’re putting that blanket around you. If we’re in the middle of a tornado, it is making sure there’s shelter, making sure that there’s food that’s going up and down the streets, that there are tarps and cleanup kits for that.
The other part is providing financial assistance. So if your home is severely damaged, those are things we step in to help with. If you’re escaping a fire, you may leave without your wallet or belongings, and in that moment, we make sure you have some funds to help you get through those first few days as you recover.
Money is so important, and someone has been gracious to donate a lot of money and match if Oklahomans will donate back. Can you tell us about that?
Frankenfield: Today, being National Giving Day, Ford Philanthropy has agreed to match dollar for dollar up to $250,000. That is huge for the American Red Cross and what we can do for individuals. I mean, I’m a financial person. Last year in disasters, $1.9 million was spent. So every dollar is valuable. In Oklahoma, year to date, we’ve had 1,700 [disasters]. Whether that be home fire, wildfire, tornadoes, the record tornadoes. Those dollars and those matching dollars just help to support the mission. You really don’t know, as Lloyda says, what the next event is or when it will happen. So Giving Day is just a great day to build those core funds first.
How else would you say that people could help?
Salmond: Yes, so I think if you want to give your time, the Red Cross is made up of 90% volunteers, so we could definitely use your help. Whether it’s boots on the ground or assisting with logistics, there are many ways to get involved. Donating blood is also a powerful way to help because you can’t reproduce blood—it truly is the gift of life. So those are just a couple of ways people can contribute.
Frankenfield: Probably the only thing I want to add from the financial standpoint is this: 90 cents of every dollar we raise stays right here in Oklahoma. That’s significant. That matters. And if you want to give, you can do so at redcross.org.