By Joey McWilliams
KINGSTON – In the aftermath of a tornado that destroyed homes, businesses and more when it hit east of Kingston on Monday evening, many are coming to the aid of those affected.
The Red Cross has volunteers at the Kingston Multipurpose Activity Center on the campus of the high school.
Sherry Schauer, Disaster Programs Specialist for South Central/Southeast Oklahoma with Red Cross said the organization is ready to assist.
“We have opened a temporary shelter here at the high school gymnasium,” Schauer said. “We didn’t have anyone stay lasts night, but we do have someone with us now and another one that will be in shortly, due to no power and her being on oxygen.”
“If anyone wants to come out and help, if you bring water, we have a drop-off outside by our trailer. We ask that if you bring clothes or anything like that, please take it to the local clothes bank here in Kingston.”
Schauer said the team will be available and ready to help as long as it is needed.
“We are here right now and I don’t know how long we’re going to be here depending on how many people we have to come in. People are just now starting to wake up and realize what is going on. So we could be seeing more here in a while.
“But we are here for today and we’ll be here for however long we need to be.”