Missouri NEA supports Joplin schools through HOPE fund donations

Many caring people have contacted Missouri NEA to offer support and condolences on horrific storm that hit Joplin May 22. Not only are MNEA members affected by what has been declared the nation's deadliest tornado in 60 years, but members of Kansas NEA and Oklahoma EA members have been affected as well, as Joplin is a "border" town.

We don't yet know the magnitude of the losses. Schools closed for the rest of the year. The high school graduation took place just hours before the tornado hit, and it's possible that as many as 25 of the graduates did not make it home as they returned home from the graduation ceremonies. We have not yet been able to locate all of our members, as there are still areas where the recovery efforts have not been able to reach. We have two staff members who are working with the Joplin School District in the first days of recovery efforts.

Some of you have asked again how you might help. Missouri NEA has a HOPE Fund established in 1993 for this type of tragedy. To learn about the fund or make a donation, visit www.mnea.org/Missouri/HOPEFund.aspx.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Our members truly appreciate the NEA family's support.

 --Chris Guinther
Missouri NEA president