By Trey Witzel, Columnist
When I was growing up in Oklahoma, I had a few friends whose birthdays were on May 3. They hated it. Since 1999, that date has always been associated with one of the largest, deadliest tornadoes in history.
I remember where I was when the May 3 tornado happened. My family was having a party with some of the families I played baseball with. The storm knocked out the power, erasing my progress in Super Mario 64.
At that age, all I knew was to be angry at some wind and rain for making me have to get some golden stars over again. I now know that my anger should have been directed at an event that changed the way the entire state viewed tornadoes.
The tornado that touched down in 1999 was a benchmark for future disasters – a benchmark broken by another tornado, one that traveled almost the same path 14 years later.
On May 20, I was sitting in the Chapel basement. Since 1999, the local National Weather Service – based in Norman – has created technology that was able to warn us of the potential for major tornadoes. And they were right.
The May 20 twister is the new benchmark for natural disasters in our state. But it does not have to be only a measuring stick for destruction. We have the opportunity to show the world how to respond to tragedy.
Millions of dollars have already been raised in a concerted effort to help those affected by the storm. Celebrities as diverse as Kevin Durant, Toby Keith, Blake Shelton, Usher, and Reba McEntire have all offered their talents to raise money and hope for the Moore area.
People from all over Oklahoma and the United States came to Moore in an effort to do whatever they could. So many people showed up that police and military officials were turning away volunteers, permitting only trained first responders to enter the city.
Now, it’s time for us to help.
SGA is planning a campuswide tornado relief service day for September 21. Currently OCU has 60 spots for OCU students, faculty, and staff to go down to Moore and help in whatever way we can. Volunteers in Mission, a United Methodist relief organization, is organizing the event.
I know many of you have helped – by either physically going to Moore, by donating food and clothing, or by just praying. September 21 is an opportunity to go do more. I hope that all of you reading this could offer one Saturday to help people that need help.
If you are willing to go serve, please go to http://www.ocusga.org to sign up. After signing up, you will receive more details about the event. I can’t wait for this event, and I’m very excited to see the OCU community serve those in need.
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