Doing my small part

[ClippingNikki]

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to share this story with all of you. I'm not sure you if any of you have heard of the devastating tornado that hit Massachusetts just a couple of days ago but for a state like ours we aren't used to tornados and certainly took cities by storm. My cousin has spent all day down in Springfield/ Monson helping others cope with this disaster.

So of course my mother being the civil service person she is (she works as a social worker) started brain storming ideas to help. She decided she was going to bake some cookies and put her two legs, two arms, and one loving heart to work over the weekend.

Since I lost my job back at the end of March I have really put a lot of energy and money into couponing; to start a stock pile. Granted it wasn't a large one but it was one that I felt proud of no matter what. So I decided that I would downsize my small stock pile to help those in Springfield/ Monson area. Granted to me it seems so small but to those who are receiving it, it will make them feel a little more human and loved.

It was cute that my mom saw all of the items were are donating and she said, "I'm glad we are able to donate all this." I part of me chuckled because the majority of the items I had bought but I was willing to share the spot light. Of course I had to be slightly sarcastic and replied "Remember mom, when I would come back with 6 of the same item and you replied, "Why do we need all this Sh*!." Well now you know." Of course she apologized, teared up and replied, "I'm glad you did this because now we are able to help others even though it was meant for us. Thank you!"

The end

[frugalfannie]

i'm from that area, and I can tell you that saying we're "not used to" or "under-prepared for" tornadoes is a ridiculous understatement. Give me a big blizzard or a hurricane any day. Even the worst weather is nothing more than annoyance for this hardened New England girl. I've seen 6 seasons in the course of an hour...but what I saw yesterday was just plain scary. I've never been afraid of weather before this.

While I wasn't personally affected by the tornado, I saw what it did, and I know people who were affected. I want to say thanks for whatever you were able to do. I've been doing some donating and volunteering myself to try to help out some friends.

I'm ready for the snow again. the south/midwest can keep this tornado crap.

[loves2save]

That is AWESOME! I know it made me feel so good to share my stockpile with Joplin!

[momofsix]

Now you are in the spirit of the CouponMom group! Most of us donate on a regular basis and step up a notch when tragedy strikes!

I am so sorry to hear of the storms up there. Yes, we here in Kansas and the midwest see this all of the time, unfortunately. Even with basements, storm shelters, sirens and watchful citizens, the devastation caused by these things is not something we take lightly. I think the worst part is that often there is little warning and it happens so quickly. The local weather forecasters do a good job of warning when conditions are "right" or if a storm capable of producing a tornado is close, but if one forms right over your head or across the road, you'd better pray quick!

Hopefully you can rebuild quickly and get on with living! Good luck!

[LilRedGirl]

I'm bumming, I just wrote a big long response and them lost it..ugh. Anyway, great job Nikki! I look forward to being able to help others with large donations once I get better. Now it's just small stuff but getting better. It does mean a lot to the people receiving it. My grandma was recently in the tornado in Sedalia, MO. Luckily she wasn't harmed and her home was fine but she knows quite a few that aren't so lucky. I've been trying to stockpile some extra stuff and hope to take a ride out to her soon.

I know what you mean about scary! I'm from MA and moved to Kansas four years ago.... the day Greensberg happened in fact. My husband and I were discussing this last night and we decided we'd rather have the tornados than the hurricanes. I've lived through several, including Bob, where we had major flooding an no electricity for weeks. The affected area is just so much more vast with a hurricane. I will say though that the first few times the sirens went off here it scared the bejeezus out of me. But OMG, there is nothing more amazing than these Kansas thunderstorms! I really love this place!

[ClippingNikki]

Now you are in the spirit of the CouponMom group! Most of us donate on a regular basis and step up a notch when tragedy strikes!

I am so sorry to hear of the storms up there. Yes, we here in Kansas and the midwest see this all of the time, unfortunately. Even with basements, storm shelters, sirens and watchful citizens, the devastation caused by these things is not something we take lightly. I think the worst part is that often there is little warning and it happens so quickly. The local weather forecasters do a good job of warning when conditions are "right" or if a storm capable of producing a tornado is close, but if one forms right over your head or across the road, you'd better pray quick!

Hopefully you can rebuild quickly and get on with living! Good luck!

It felt really great to help out and on Sat we went out and cooked hot dogs and hamburgers for the people in need, which inlcuded police, fire dept, and national guard. It was amazing to see the devistation with my own two eyes. Thank you all for the support

[ClippingNikki]

I'm bumming, I just wrote a big long response and them lost it..ugh. Anyway, great job Nikki! I look forward to being able to help others with large donations once I get better. Now it's just small stuff but getting better. It does mean a lot to the people receiving it. My grandma was recently in the tornado in Sedalia, MO. Luckily she wasn't harmed and her home was fine but she knows quite a few that aren't so lucky. I've been trying to stockpile some extra stuff and hope to take a ride out to her soon.

I know what you mean about scary! I'm from MA and moved to Kansas four years ago.... the day Greensberg happened in fact. My husband and I were discussing this last night and we decided we'd rather have the tornados than the hurricanes. I've lived through several, including Bob, where we had major flooding an no electricity for weeks. The affected area is just so much more vast with a hurricane. I will say though that the first few times the sirens went off here it scared the bejeezus out of me. But OMG, there is nothing more amazing than these Kansas thunderstorms! I really love this place!

I know what you mean about loosing a long post I was informed if you check "remember me" box then you won't loose your hard work. Anywho, thank you for the encouragement. It means a lot to me I hope that I continue to help others through my stock pile I just hope it isn't always because of natural disasters.