Ways to help tornado victims in Mayflower and Vilonia

Screen capture of aerial footage of the damage in Mayflower captured by storm spotter Brian Emfinger

Brian Emfinger (via YouTube)

As you’ve probably heard by now, communities in Mayflower and Vilonia are devastated today after a nearly half-mile wide tornado struck both central Arkansas cities on Sunday.

At last count, at least 10 people in those communities are confirmed dead, and others are still missing.

We’ve had a few requests from readers this morning for a list of ways to help out in those communities, and we’ve pulled together a start of that below.

According to the Log Cabin Democrat, only search-and-rescue crews and other emergency workers are allowed access to both communities, and authorities are not seeking volunteers at this time.

As always, however, the public is encouraged to donate to the relief efforts via the American Red Cross, and to donate blood at their local blood bank.

The best lists we’ve found so far come from Conway blogger Kim Herrington of The Made Thing, and the folks at Arkansas Fight.

We’ll add to the list below as we hear about more local ways to help.

From The Made Thing:

Red Cross – You can go here and do a “quick donation” for a general disaster relief fund. I expect they will set up a specific cause you can donate to later and will update this information as I get it. Even if you’re not here, they always need blood. You can also donate $10 by texting the word “REDCROSS” to 90999.

The Salvation Army – Fill out this donation form to specifically donate to the Arkansas tornado relief. You can also mail checks to The Salvation Army Disaster Relief, PO Box 738, North Little Rock, AR 72115-0738 and write Arkansas Tornado Relief on the check memo line. To donate $10 to the general disaster ref lief fund, text “STORM” to 80888. You can also call 1-800-725-2769.

United Methodists of Arkansas – They have a fund set up, too. Donate here.

Mosaic Church – A few families at this church were affected and are accepting donations.


From Arkansas Fight:

Apostolic Church in North Little Rock:
– Accepting donations beginning at 9 a.m. Monday
– Donations of tarps, flashlights, batteries, hand sanitizer, non-perishable food items, gloves, toiletries, chainsaws, blankets, bottled water, etc.
– Location: 4315 Landers Rd. in North Little Rock

Holiday Inn Express in Maumelle:
– Accepting non-perishable items for storm victims
– Location: 200 Holiday Drive in Maumelle (at the Morgan/Maumelle Exit)

Holiday Inn & Suites in Morrilton:
– Accepting non-perishable items, baby wipes, paper towels, etc. No clothing.
– 8 Bruce Street (501) 215-5925

New Life Church in Conway:
– Asking people to meet at 8 a.m. Monday to help with tornado relief
– They ask people to bring chainsaws and gloves
– Location: Church is located at corner of Dave Ward Dr. and Country Club Rd. in Conway

Boys and Girls Club of Bryant:
– Collecting donations of non-perishables, water, clothing.
– Drop off between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
– Located at 6401 Boone Road in Bryant.


Local organizations offering assistance

The NWA Center for Equality is accepting supplies and donations to be taken to central Arkansas on Wednesday and Friday. The center is located at 179 N. Church Ave., Ste. 101 in Fayetteville.

Riffraff will donate all of the profits from their Arkansas State Love apparel line on Monday and Tuesday to the American Red Cross.

Ozark Natural Foods is accepting donations for the American Red Cross. Just let the cashier know you’d like to donate.

The folks from Classic Hits 101.5 will be collecting supplies and donations at Harps Food Stores, located at 918 S Gutensohn Rd, in Springdale from 1 p.m. -6 p.m. Items accepted include cases of bottled water, diapers, pet food and blankets, gently used clothing, hand sanitizer, and non-perishable food items.

JJ’s Grill in Fayetteville is accepting donations to help out some of their employees in Conway that were affected by the storm.

Rogers-based non-profit, Sheep Dogs – Impact Assistance is seeking registered volunteers and accepting donations for the relief efforts.

Mellow Mushroom in Fayetteville and Rogers are donating 15% of their proceeds on Thursday to the American Red Cross.

Bliss Cupcakes is donating the proceeds of the sale of their Red Velvet cupcakes on Tuesday, April 29 to tornado relief efforts in Central Arkansas.

Fayetteville Montessori School is collecting supplies for the rebuilding efforts in Central Arkansas, including non-perishable food items, construction equipment and supplies, baby items, tarps, toiletries, lawn chairs and furniture, bottled water, first aid kits, storage totes w/lids, wheelbarrows, rakes, shovels, work gloves, and plastic garbage cans. Here’s more info on the drive.


Aerial footage of the aftermath from Mayflower