Ed.  This is a repost of an article from the BNI Missouri-Southern Illinois Blog.

Joplin Tornado Aftermath

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of our over 250 BNI members and family in the Joplin, Missouri area.  This tragic event has had a huge impact on every member we have that lives or does business in Joplin and the surrounding communities.  We are trying our best to figure out what our members need, and how we can help them out with those needs.  Our team has been calling our members and leaders, and so far from what we know, there have been no fatalities, however, many members have lost their homes and businesses.  These are our fellow BNI members, and anything we can do to help them out as a BNI family is greatly appreciated.

The BNI Misner Foundation has set up a donation site that will send funds to the Red Cross in Joplin, Missouri.  Here is the Foundation’s statement:

BNI is greatly saddened by the loss and devastation the Southern United States is suffering in the aftermath of recent tornadoes and flooding. Effective immediately, we are opening a matching fund within the BNI Foundation to assist the American Red Cross as they provide support and aid to those who have been affected. The BNI Foundation will match the first $5,000 which is donated to each of these efforts.

In addition, Executive Directors Scott and Teresa Simon have added a $2,500 matching fund for all donations.

If you would like to help out (any donation, no matter what the amount helps) please click on this link:

We have seen incredible acts of kindness and courage throughout the last couple of days.  BNI members lending a hand, helping one another out, donating time and resources to the efforts.  As we learn more as an organization on what is needed, we will work to get the message out to members who would like to help out.

Sincerely,

The entire BNI Mid America (Missouri/Illinois/Kansas/Arkansas)
Team of Directors, Ambassadors, and members
miketobin@bnistl.com