{"id":8078,"date":"2025-05-19T10:08:34","date_gmt":"2025-05-19T15:08:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stlouisdad.com\/s\/?p=8078"},"modified":"2025-05-19T10:12:14","modified_gmt":"2025-05-19T15:12:14","slug":"tornado-strikes-st-louis-how-you-can-help-families-rebuild","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stlouisdad.com\/s\/tornado-strikes-st-louis-how-you-can-help-families-rebuild\/","title":{"rendered":"Tornado Strikes St. Louis: How You Can Help Families Rebuild"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/stlouisdad.com\/s\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/STL-Tornado-GatewayArchFoundation.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"672\" src=\"https:\/\/stlouisdad.com\/s\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/STL-Tornado-GatewayArchFoundation-1200x672.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8079\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stlouisdad.com\/s\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/STL-Tornado-GatewayArchFoundation-1200x672.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/stlouisdad.com\/s\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/STL-Tornado-GatewayArchFoundation-640x358.jpg 640w, https:\/\/stlouisdad.com\/s\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/STL-Tornado-GatewayArchFoundation-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/stlouisdad.com\/s\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/STL-Tornado-GatewayArchFoundation-1536x860.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/stlouisdad.com\/s\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/STL-Tornado-GatewayArchFoundation-1024x573.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/stlouisdad.com\/s\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/STL-Tornado-GatewayArchFoundation-600x336.jpg 600w, https:\/\/stlouisdad.com\/s\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/STL-Tornado-GatewayArchFoundation.jpg 1910w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This past Friday, May 16th, our city experienced one of its most devastating natural disasters in recent memory. A powerful tornado ripped through parts of <strong>St. Louis City and surrounding areas<\/strong>, taking the lives of at least <strong>five people<\/strong>, destroying homes, businesses, and landmarks, and leaving thousands of families reeling in the aftermath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ksdk.com\/article\/weather\/severe-weather\/st-louis-recovers-after-tornadoes-strike-killing-at-least-5-and-damaging-thousands-of-buildings\/63-ac940110-05ac-405b-a891-09c526cef70c\">KSDK News<\/a>, the damage has been extensive \u2014 with entire neighborhoods left in shambles. As <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/fox2now.com\/news\/missouri\/tornado-storm-damage-st-louis\/\">Fox 2 Now<\/a> reports, emergency responders and volunteers are working tirelessly, but the need for support is far from over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a dad, a neighbor, and a St. Louisan, it breaks my heart to see families displaced, kids without homes, and communities torn apart. But we are not helpless. In times like these, we can come together to support those who need it most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How You Can Help<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re in a position to help, here are a few ways you can make a difference today:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83c\udfaf <strong>Donate to Local Relief Efforts<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the easiest and most direct ways to help is by contributing to relief funds. A GoFundMe has been set up by Danni Eickenhorst from The Fountain on Delmar and Steve&#8217;s Hot Dogs to support teams working directly in the aftermath of the <strong>Delmar tornado<\/strong>. Your donation goes toward helping families rebuild, providing essentials, and supporting emergency crews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udc49 <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gofundme.com\/f\/support-our-teams-in-the-aftermath-of-the-delmar-tornado\"><strong>Click here to donate to the GoFundMe<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83e\udde4 <strong>Volunteer Locally<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Organizations across the area are seeking volunteers for cleanup and aid distribution. Check with groups like the Red Cross, STL Foodbank, or local churches and shelters to see how you can lend a hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83c\udf81 <strong>Donate Supplies<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Families impacted by the tornado are in desperate need of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Non-perishable food<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bottled water<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hygiene products (toothpaste, diapers, soap, deodorant, feminine products)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Clothing (especially for children)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Flashlights and batteries<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>First-aid kits<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Blankets, tarps, and sleeping bags<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cleaning supplies and garbage bags<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Drop-off points are being set up throughout the region. Stay tuned to local news stations or neighborhood groups on social media for updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/stlouisdad.com\/s\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/499278431_1152113960293828_3989593648439492408_n.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/stlouisdad.com\/s\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/499278431_1152113960293828_3989593648439492408_n-960x1200.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8081\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stlouisdad.com\/s\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/499278431_1152113960293828_3989593648439492408_n-960x1200.jpg 960w, https:\/\/stlouisdad.com\/s\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/499278431_1152113960293828_3989593648439492408_n-512x640.jpg 512w, https:\/\/stlouisdad.com\/s\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/499278431_1152113960293828_3989593648439492408_n-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/stlouisdad.com\/s\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/499278431_1152113960293828_3989593648439492408_n-1024x1280.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/stlouisdad.com\/s\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/499278431_1152113960293828_3989593648439492408_n-600x750.jpg 600w, https:\/\/stlouisdad.com\/s\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/499278431_1152113960293828_3989593648439492408_n.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Building a Tornado Emergency Kit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As we reflect on this disaster, it\u2019s a reminder that <strong>being prepared can save lives<\/strong>. If you haven\u2019t yet, consider building a <strong>family tornado emergency kit<\/strong>. Here\u2019s a quick checklist:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Weather radio (battery-powered or hand-crank)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Flashlights and extra batteries<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bottled water (1 gallon per person, per day for 3 days)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Non-perishable food for at least 3 days<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cell phone chargers (especially portable battery packs)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Whistle (to signal for help)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>First aid supplies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Copies of important documents<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cash<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sturdy shoes and protective gloves<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Child-specific supplies (formula, diapers, toys)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Store your kit in a safe place \u2014 ideally a basement or designated storm shelter \u2014 and review your emergency plan with your kids regularly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">We\u2019re St. Louis Strong<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s easy to feel overwhelmed by tragedy. But here in St. Louis, we\u2019ve always shown up for one another. I\u2019ve seen it firsthand \u2014 neighbors bringing over meals, strangers helping clear debris, families opening their homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s keep that momentum going. Whether it&#8217;s a small donation or simply checking in on someone who might need help, it all makes a difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you or your family have been affected by the storm, please don\u2019t hesitate to reach out. StLouisDad.com is more than a blog \u2014 it\u2019s a community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Stay safe. Stay strong. We\u2019ll get through this \u2014 together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2014 <strong>Richie (St. Louis Dad)<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This past Friday, May 16th, our city experienced one of its most devastating natural disasters in recent memory. A powerful tornado ripped through parts of St. Louis City and surrounding areas, taking the lives of at least five people, destroying homes, businesses, and landmarks, and leaving thousands of families reeling in the aftermath. According to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8079,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3,1,276],"tags":[17,12,1113,1190,147,1191,146,1189,1188],"class_list":["post-8078","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-around-town","category-blog","category-family","tag-around-town-2","tag-blog-2","tag-delmar","tag-donate","tag-family","tag-gofundme","tag-st-louis","tag-support","tag-tornado"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/stlouisdad.com\/s\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/STL-Tornado-GatewayArchFoundation.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5JMKA-26i","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stlouisdad.com\/s\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8078","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stlouisdad.com\/s\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stlouisdad.com\/s\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stlouisdad.com\/s\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stlouisdad.com\/s\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8078"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/stlouisdad.com\/s\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8078\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8082,"href":"https:\/\/stlouisdad.com\/s\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8078\/revisions\/8082"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stlouisdad.com\/s\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8079"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stlouisdad.com\/s\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8078"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stlouisdad.com\/s\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8078"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stlouisdad.com\/s\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8078"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}