Humane Society, Boy Scouts, others pitching in to send aid to Moore

Years ago, Kay Simpson found herself in the heart of search-and-rescue efforts for animals in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. After Monday’s deadly tornado in Moore, Okla., Simpson is helping out again, this time from home.

Simpson, director of the Humane Society of Pulaski County and a certified animal-cruelty investigator, said the Humane Society is collecting items to be delivered to Moore this weekend.

The society is one of numerous organizations, churches, businesses and individuals in Little Rock and around the state making a point to help out.

Simpson said she’s been involved with the relief efforts for two hurricanes and four or five tornadoes.

“It’s just something that happened, and you kind of get hooked on it,” she said of disaster relief work.

The Humane Society is collecting canned pet food, collars, leashes, grooming supplies and food bowls.

“When I was at Katrina, the collars and leashes and things like that were some of the things they needed the most,” Simpson said.

A local Boy Scout troop also is lending a helping hand.

Caleb Whitmore, 12, persuaded his troop to organize a collection of household items and necessities. Troop 99, along with the Quapaw Area Council, are accepting donations at War Memorial Stadium today from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Troop 99 has several connections with the Moore area, according to scoutmaster Butch Walker, who lived in Moore until 2005. Walker’s family was affected by a tornado there in 2003.

“We know what’s needed,” he said, “and what it’s like to be on the other end of this.”

Seeing the Scout troop come together to help out is a validation of what the group has been working on over the years, Walker said.

“This is what Scouting is all about,” he said. “It’s about teaching young men about taking responsibility and reaching out.”

The White Water Tavern will be donating 10 percent of its kitchen profits this week to the Red Cross for relief efforts.

Kitchen manager Jonathan Wilkins said he was touched by the footage of the tornado he saw and wants to do his part.

“Just seeing some people that went to sleep and the worst thing ever happened to them, it takes you out of your own problems,” he said.

Kroger grocery stores are also accepting monetary donations to the Red Cross.

Kroger has stores in 32 states across the United States. While there aren’t any Krogers in Oklahoma, Kroger Delta Region spokesman Joe Bell said the chain has experienced its own natural disasters.

“It’s our turn to help back in other areas,” he said.

Monetary donations are accepted in $5 increments at the checkout or in the stores’ offices. Kroger will match whatever the stores generate up to $50,000.

Here are some of the local groups accepting donations: Humane Society of Pulaski County Contact: Kay Simpson, 501-227-6166 Boy Scouts of Troop 99 and Quapaw Area Council Contact: email bsatroop99lr@gmail.com

The White Water Tavern Contact: 501-375-8400

American Red Cross of Greater Arkansas Contact: 501-748-1004

Arkansas Baptist State Convention Contact: Michelle Hendrix at 501-376-4791 ext. 5249

Little Rock School District Contact: Pamela Smith at 501-447-1030