Story by Amie Booth, Public Affairs Volunteer

On Thu., May 30, in response to the devastating tornadoes and flooding in northeastern Oklahoma counties, the Cox Media Group, (CMG)  held a fundraiser for the American Red Cross of Oklahoma and helped to raise $127,000 that was earmarked for recovery efforts.

The Bucket Brigade fundraiser was held at LaFortune Park and all five radio stations, News 102.3 KRMG, K95.5, Mix 96.5, 103.3 The Eagle, and 105.7 The Bone along with FOX23 (KOKI-TV) held live broadcasts for 13 hours.

“We knew Tulsa would respond to an opportunity to help their neighbors in a time of need, but we are absolutely blown away by the amount raised,” says CMG-Tulsa Market Vice President, Cathy Gunther. “Tulsa residents responded by bringing their donations to the park and placing them in the buckets and by donating via text messaging.”

The storms that moved through the Tulsa area in the latter part of May this year caused devastating damage and left numerous people temporarily homeless.  The Red Cross immediately deployed volunteers and workers to assist the residents of the area, and CMG responded with great speed to help provide funds to the Red Cross.

Gunther goes on to say, “it makes CMG-Tulsa and our employees proud to be able to respond quickly in difficult times and make an immediate impact. This is what Cox Media Group is all about!”

To add to the already overwhelming response to the community’s donations, The James M. Cox Family Foundation matched the first $50,000 raised. Cox Media Group presented their check to the Red Cross on Mon., June 17.

Money can’t replace much of what was lost in the storms but it will go a long way to help the residents and the community rebuild, and to ease the hearts of a large number of people that have suffered through so much devastation. The fundraiser is a tremendous testimony to the generosity and compassion that the Tulsa area has shown towards their neighbors in need.

The Cox Media Group has also been a longtime partner of the Red Cross on the humanitarian side, but also with Biomed through their twice-yearly blood drives with News 102.3 KRMG and FOX23. These blood drives are scheduled during times that are difficult for blood collection, around the holidays and Independence Day.

To date, these blood drives collected nearly 2,900 donations. The next scheduled News 102.3 KRMG and FOX23 blood drive is June 27-28.

For more information, or to make an appointment to donate blood at this blood drive download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

HOW YOU CAN HELP:  Help people affected by disasters severe storms, tornadoes and countless other crises by making a donation to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small across the United States. Please consider making a donation today. Visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

 About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.