Minnesota Love: Volunteers and $400,000 Worth of Support Sent to Oklahoma for Tornado Relief

Perhaps the term 'Minnesota Nice' should be changed to 'Minnesota Generous'.  The Salvation Army and its supporters have amassed a groundswell of aid for Oklahoma tornado relief, including volunteers, $250,000 worth of off-road vehicles, a $100,000 corporate donation and $50,000 worth of private donations.

“We applaud Minnesota residents and businesses for their support of our efforts to bring hope and comfort to Oklahoma tornado survivors,” said Lt. Col. Robert Thomson, Salvation Army Northern Division Commander.

Here’s a closer look:

Volunteers: Two Salvation Army volunteers trained in emotional and spiritual care will leave Friday, May 31 to spend two weeks comforting tornado survivors. The volunteers are Patrice O’Reilly of Goodhue (near Red Wing) and Tom Brustad of St. Paul. O’Reilly is a retired nurse and Brustad is a retired truck driver.

Off-road vehicles (photo attached): Medina-based Polaris Industries Inc. donated 10 off-road vehicles that arrived to the Oklahoma Salvation Army on Saturday. The vehicles will allow staff and volunteers to transport food, water and other critical supplies to hard-hit areas in which Salvation Army mobile kitchens cannot travel.

Corporate gift: A Minnesota company that asked to remain anonymous has donated $100,000 for tornado relief.

Private gifts: The Salvation Army Northern Division, which serves Minnesota and North Dakota, has received $50,000 for tornado relief from everyday people. Every penny will be used to help Oklahoma tornado survivors.

To donate to The Salvation Army’s Oklahoma tornado relief efforts:

• Give online at SalvationArmyNorth.org or call 800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769)

• Text “STORM” to 80888 to make a $10 donation via your mobile phone. To confirm your gift, respond “Yes.”

• Mail a check to The Salvation Army, 2445 Prior Ave. N., Roseville, MN 55113. Designate your gift “Oklahoma Tornado.”

To volunteer or for more information about The Salvation Army, call 651-746-3400 or visit SalvationArmyNorth.org. Find us on social media at Facebook.com/SalvationArmyNorth and Twitter at @salarmynorth.