***UPDATED*** Every little thing . . . for Joplin, MO

Charlie Riedel/AP Photo

Joplin sits in the far southwestern tip of Missouri.  My husband grew up in Joplin.  His mother, father, sister, brother-in-law, two nieces and many of his extended family live in and around Joplin.  From birth until he left for college he lived in the same house, on the same street in Joplin.  That neighborhood is destroyed.  As is his high school.  And nearly every bit of his old childhood stomping ground.

Luckily his family is unharmed and their homes were untouched.

I wish this were true for so many others.

So.

I'm going to give away this quilt to my blog readers.  But unlike other quilt giveaways I've done here, you don't need to leave a comment or make a silly video.  Instead, for every dollar you donate using the button below you will get one chance at winning the quilt.

100% of the donations will be given directly to The American Red Cross that is so faithfully providing food, shelter and emotional support in Missouri, Minnesota and other parts of the Midwest struck by horrendous tornadoes this spring.

I'm hoping together we can raise a small sum to donate.  Cause every little bit helps.

The only way I know to accurately keep track of entries is to have you click the donate button below which will send your donation to my Old Red Barn Co. PayPal account.  At the conclusion of the giveaway, I will then forward 100% of all donations received to the American Red Cross.


********   DONATIONS VIA HERE FOR QUILT ENTRY NOW CLOSED! YOU ALL SO GENEROUSLY DONATED $3496.00 THAT WILL GO DIRECTLY TO THE AMERICAN RED CROSS FOR TORNADO RELIEF!! I WILL GET A RECEIPT AND POST IT SOON TO PROVE THAT YOUR DONATIONS WENT EXACTLY WHERE IS SAID THEY WOULD! *****

THERE ARE STILL MANY WAYS TO HELP.  PLEASE SEE THE LIST BELOW FOR SUGGESTIONS.



And if that makes you nervous, cause you don't know me from Adam and you think I might be scamming you please consider other ways you can help.  Here are a few suggestions:



 To make a donation to the American Red Cross' Disaster Relief, visit its online donation page. Once there you can enter the zip code for Joplin, 64801, to make sure that the money will be directed to their local Joplin chapter.
You can also call 1-800-RED-CROSS or text "REDCROSS" to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to your local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013. 
  World Vision teams are heading to Joplin, Mo., and northern Minneapolis, Minn., to assess the tornado damage. World Vision focuses on aiding children and is providing hygiene kits, cleaning supplies and other relief and building items.
To donate $10, text the word "TORNADO" to 20222 or call 888-56-CHILD.
To donate to the United Way, call 417-624-0153.
The Salvation Army's emergency disaster services teams are helping to feed residents and first responders in Joplin; Reading, Kan.; and parts of Minnesota affected by the storms.
To donate to the The Salvation Army's efforts, visit www.salvationarmyusa.org and click on the donation page.
You can call 1-800-SAL-ARMY and donors can text "JOPLIN" to 80888 to make a $10 donation. And you can mail a donation to Joplin Tornado Relief, The Salvation Army, 3637 Broadway, Kansas City, Mo. 64111
To Help and Find Relatives
The American Red Cross' Safe and Well website helps friends and family connect with those in devastated areas.
On Facebook, several pages have been created to assist concerned relatives in finding loved ones and getting information on how to help: Help Joplin and Joplin, Mo., Tornado Recovery.
Missouri residents with medical skills who want to help, can go to ShowMeResponse.org.



Every little bit helps and I'm hoping to raise $250 to send on to the American Red Cross.  That would mean you'd have a 1 in 250 chance at winning the quilt.

Usually I now tell you how long the giveaway contest will run and who's eligible and yada, yada, yada.  Anyone who donates is eligible.  I'll run the contest at least until my goal is reached. 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.


****UPDATE**** Friday, May 27, 2011 10:45am.  Right now the donation total is $3271.  I'm so amazed and grateful.   And, actually, kind of speechless.  I'll keep this giveaway open until the donations start to drop off -- probably sometime over the weekend.  I'm posting updates and there is some discussion over on facebook if you want to keep up with how we are doing.  Thank you so very, very much.

-dana