Joplin Chamber president: "Now, it's our turn to pay it forward..."
Updated: May 21, 2013 11:39 AM CST
Statement from Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce President Rob O'Brian:
It has been two years since the devastating tornado that hit Joplin and Duquesne. Just yesterday, we saw another horrific tornado strike our neighbors in Moore, Okla.
While the initial focus is on helping the residents of that decimated community, as it should be, we know from our own experience that the Chamber plays a key role in maintaining jobs and providing hope by helping businesses recover, providing stability for those who may not have been directly hit but are struggling. In addition, the Chamber acts as a center of information for so many other community organizations.
We were helped in our operations by direct assistance, typically in the form of "joining or membership" by other chambers and businesses from around the region. We were also helped by monetary donations to our Foundation. These donations became the basis for the business stabilization loan funds, as well as assisting this Chamber in its ability to help other business support organizations maintain their efforts even today.
As we well know, even businesses not directly impacted by the tornado were impacted by a loss of business, loss of utilities and the death and injury of employees.
Now, it's our turn to pay it forward and help Moore.
We have established a "Help Moore Business" fund within the Joplin Chamber Foundation. Contributions to this fund will be given to the Moore Chamber of Commerce to help its efforts to keep businesses and jobs in that hard-hit community. The Joplin Chamber Foundation is a 501c3 charitable organization, and your contributions may be tax deductible.
We encourage you to give generously to help Moore residents in their hour of need. In doing so, remember that our Chamber and business community was helped by others and we need to help Moore's Chamber as well. Even a small gift has a big impact. You can make your contribution today to the "Help Moore Business" fund by going to this link.
www.joplincc.com/help_moore_business.html Thank you for helping Moore in its recovery efforts.