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SALT LAKE CITY — Utahns are reaching out to help to those devastated by the tornadoes in Oklahoma Monday afternoon.
In Moore, Okla., at least 24 people — including nine children — were killed, and more than 200 people were injured by the 200-mph winds across 17 miles. As the search for victims concludes in Moore, people across the nation are reaching out to help.
"Very quickly after it lifted you began to get damage reports, and it was Joplin all over," said Pastor Myke Crowder of the Christian Life Center in Layton. "My heart sank. I was devastated for the people there."
Exactly two years ago, Crowder reacted to the aftermath in Joplin, Mo., where six of his family members survived, but lost their homes.
Now he and his son, Chris Crowder, plan to repeat the plea for donations and, in two weeks, travel to Moore, Okla., and distribute envelopes containing $500 to tornado victims who need cash to pay insurance premiums, to repair cars or have other immediate needs. They will only accept cash since there is nowhere to put food or clothing.
"I wish the people in Utah could see what we saw two years ago," Crowder said. "People fell in my arms and wept and said, 'Please tell the people of Utah thank you.' "
Crowder expects some of the victims to reject his generosity.
"People aren't going to say, ‘Hey, give me what you're going to give me.' They're going to want to help others. They're going to feel blessed that they were in a place of insurance and their lives were saved. They're going to want to help us help the people who really need it," he said.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has warehouses full of supplies in surrounding states so that deliveries can happen quickly.
Tuesday, Mormon missionaries and local church members were preparing to assist in volunteer relief efforts as directed by their local leaders. Missionaries and church members are also providing Spanish and Vietnamese interpretation services to help emergency responders communicate with tornado victims.
Contributing: Peter Samore