NEWS RELEASE: Operation USA to Aid Tornado Relief Efforts in Moore, Oklahoma and Surrounding Areas

LOS ANGELES, Calif., May 20, 2013– Operation USA, a Los Angeles-based international relief agency, announced today that it will provide emergency aid to community-based health organizations across Oklahoma in the wake of a tornado that struck Moore, Oklahoma.

 

The massive tornado destroyed entire blocks of homes, two schools, and a medical center in the city of Moore, part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area. The storm system still threatens surrounding regions in the Midwest.

 

Operation USA is readying essential material aid — emergency, shelter and cleaning supplies — for areas in need. All funds collected by the organization for the disaster will be directed to Oklahoma in order to help community health organizations and schools recover from damage sustained from the severe storm system.

 

HOW TO HELP:
To help relief efforts in Moore, Oklahoma, individuals can donate online at donate.opusa.org, by phone at 1-800-678-7255 or, by check made out to Operation USA, 7421 Beverly Blvd., PH, Los Angeles, CA 90036.

 

Text AID to 50555 and donate $10 to Operation USA’s disaster relief efforts. Text donations are collected for the benefit of Operation USA by the mGive Foundation and subject to the terms found at www.mGive.org/t.

 

Corporate donations for tornado relief — bulk quantities of disaster-appropriate supplies — are also being requested. United and Continental air miles can be donated to Operation USA through United Airlines Charity Miles program at www.united.com.

 

ABOUT OPERATION USA
Since its start, Operation USA has responded to domestic disasters by providing material aid and financial assistance to affected communities. Operation USA’s response to Hurricane Katrina was one of the agency’s largest efforts to date. Having over 34 years of experience supporting low-income health programs, OpUSA provided millions in supplies as well as cash grants to Gulf Coast community health clinics in order to address the needs of those affected. Operation USA also aided community clinics in Joplin, Missouri following a deadly tornado that struck the area in 2011. Material and monetary aid provided in the wake of these disasters ensured the clinics’ continuity of operations and allowed them to provide critical disaster relief and social services to affected communities.

 

Operation USA is an international relief agency that helps communities at home and abroad overcome the effects of disasters, disease and endemic poverty by providing privately-funded relief, reconstruction and development aid. Since 1979, Operation USA has worked in 100 countries, delivering over $400 million for relief and development projects.

 

Learn more and make secure donations at www.opusa.org.

 

PRESS CONTACT
Mary Dolan
323.413.2353
Operation USA
mdolan@opusa.org

 

Richard Walden
President & CEO
Operation USA
323.413.2353
rwalden@opusa.org