SRMC donates 18 pallets to OK victims

Sidney Regional Medical Center's Oklahoma Disaster Relief Donation Drive was a big help to those in need.

The drive, which was put together by Rachel Forster, director of pharmacy at Sidney Regional Medical Center accepted donations during the last weekend of May. Donated items came from as far away as Chadron, Chappell and Peetz, Forster said.

Items accepted at the drive included non-perishable food, pet supplies, sleeping bags, tents and much more. The drive received a large amount of clothing.

"We had a nice variety," Forster reported.

Volunteers helping gather supplies included everyone from hospital employees to high school students, she said. Eighteen pallets of donations were loaded by the staff at 21st Century Equipment onto a truck donated by Adams Industries Wednesday, May 29.

"We got everything from baby diapers to leather work gloves," Forster said.

The supplies arrived in Norman, Oklahoma Thursday May 30th. They were taken to Serve Moore, community organization that provides services to Moore and the surrounding areas.

"We are just so very touched by everything you have done," said Barbara Poe, director of pharmacy at Moore Medical Center in a phone message to Forster. "Thank you so much and God bless you."

The hospital in Moore was severely damaged in the tornado. It was still providing relief efforts, but was short of necessary supplies.

"I know this took a lot of work to organize and everyone's generosity was overwhelming," commented Darin Smith, director of pharmacy at Norman Regional Health Center in an email to Forster. "We greatly appreciate it."

Moore, Okla. was struck by a deadly tornado on the afternoon of May 20.

Forster was watching the weather channel after the tornadoes and decided that she wanted to do something for victims of the disaster. That's when she decided to organize a supply drive.