Shawnee, Oklahoma was impacted by a devastating tornado on April 19, 2023. To support unmet needs of those affected, please donate to the Shawnee Recovery Fund. 100% of these funds will support recovery throughout impacted areas in Pottawatomie County. The impact of your donation will be life-changing for those affected by the tornado, providing critical resources and support to help families rebuild today while restoring their hope for tomorrow.
Shawnee, Oklahoma was impacted by a devastating tornado on April 19, 2023. To support unmet needs of those affected, please donate to the Shawnee Recovery Fund. 100% of these funds will support recovery throughout impacted areas in Pottawatomie County. The impact of your donation will be life-changing for those affected by the tornado, providing critical resources and support to help families rebuild today while restoring their hope for tomorrow.
Through the efforts of the Pottawatomie County Long Term Recovery Group, Catholic Charities, ROAD (Recovering Oklahomans After Disaster), VOAD (Voluntary Oklahomans After Disaster), and the Shawnee Recovery Fund, we are in the process of helping 31 individuals and families fully recover from the April 19, 2023 tornado. As a whole, we have contributed $151,469.89.
On Monday, April 15, twenty-three individuals from our community partnered with the Pottawatomie County Long Term Recovery Group and knocked on 407 homes impacted by the tornado. As we went from home to home, we encountered a lot of great conversations with many people. We raised awareness of available resources through Catholic Charities and hopefully helped others feel less alone through the hardship this past year.
April 19, 2024, marked one year since the tornado of 2023. Individuals from our community gathered together to remember the devastation we walked through and to recognize the strength, resilience, and healing we have worked towards every single day.
Catholic Charities was represented to help raise awareness of available resources for those who have unmet needs from the tornado. American Red Cross was also there to provide resources for disaster preparedness.
Guest speakers included:
-Mayor Ed Bolt
-Dr. Thomas, President of Oklahoma Baptist University
-Dr. Espolt, Superintendent of Shawnee Public Schools
-Sandy Vanderburg, Executive Director of United Way of Pottawatomie County
We would not have been able to accomplish this event without the help and collaboration of: Pottawatomie Go (Pogo), Shawnee Family YMCA, Oklahoma Baptist University, and Shawnee CTV
We are so grateful this event represents the exact mission of United Way!
