The Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation has announced a grant that will match, dollar for dollar, donations to the American Red Cross in the wake of the massive wildfires in Creek and Payne Counties. The program is being facilitated by Tulsa Community Foundation. The matching grant will benefit the Red Cross as it continues to assist families left homeless by the devastating fires earlier this month by providing emergency disaster relief resources and services.
“We recognize the great needs of these Oklahoma families in the face of the crippling losses, and we want to help,” said Elizabeth Frame Ellison, Executive Director of the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation. “We want to help these families rebuild their lives in Oklahoma, and we hope that this matching grant will inspire other foundations, businesses and individuals to step forward, as well.” The foundation is that of former Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor and her husband Bill Lobeck.
From the time the wildfires erupted, the Red Cross has been working across the state to provide for immediate needs, first by supporting firefighters and emergency responders, and later by sheltering and feeding hundreds of families affected by the fires in Creek and Payne Counties. Statewide, the Red Cross served more than 39,500 meals, snacks and bottled drinks and deployed more than 200 Red Cross volunteers and staff to care for those devastated by the wildfires. To further assist families in the recovery process, the Red Cross distributed nearly 7,700 items including rakes, shovels, dust masks, sift boxes and comfort kits containing personal care items. Statewide, Red Cross teams opened more than 400 cases to help families move along the road to recovery.
“We are so very appreciative of the leadership role the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation and Tulsa Community Foundation have taken to support the Red Cross,” said Regina Moon, Chief Executive Officer of the Tulsa Region Red Cross. “Our volunteers have been on the front lines coming to the immediate aid of families who have lost everything. The generous financial support from the community is what makes it possible for the Red Cross to be there in the early hours of crisis when people need us most.”