JOPLIN, Mo. — Freeman Hospital agencies are operating
• Freeman Hospital is accepting insurance plans that were exclusive to St. John's.
Freeman is recruiting nurses for general duty, intensive care, and other nursing specialties for full-time and PRN positions. It also is recruiting emergency department physicians and hospitalists. Those interested are to check the website at freemanhealth.com in the upcoming days for all job postings.
All Freeman physician offices are open and in their normal locations with the following exceptions:
Midwest Orthopedic Surgery: They are at Freeman East, operating out of the Old Women's Pavilion space. Their contact information remains the same.
Freeman NeuroSpine (NeuroSurgery - Nichols, Yarosh, Behm, Hultman and Hoover): They are now in the David A. Ball, MD, Medical Building, located at 1111 McIntosh Circle, Suite 307. Their contact numbers remain the same.
Freeman NeuroSpine (Neurology - Robbie, Mitchell and Theis): They are temporarily located in the Higgins Building, located at 1020 McIntosh Circle, Suite 201. Their contact numbers remain the same.
Freeman anticipates them to be in this location through June 3, and then they will move into the Women's Center.
Infectious Diseases: They have moved to the Higgins Building located at 1020 McIntosh Circle, Suite 203. Their contact information remains the same.
Freeman Women's Center, at 1532 West 32nd St., is open and fully operational, including Wes and Jan Houser Women's Pavilion and all OBGYN physician offices.
QuickMeds Pharmacy at all three locations are now fully operational.
Urgent Care in Joplin and Webb City are offering free tetanus shots.
All Freeman OccuMed locations have resumed their normal business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Freeman Auxiliary Volunteer Luncheon has been canceled for Friday, June 3.
Bright Futures launches RebuildJoplin.org
• Bright Futures has launched RebuildJoplin.org, a comprehensive resource for people affected by the storm and for those who wish to help.
When a person goes to http://www.rebuildjoplin.org they are given the option to receive help or give support. This website is filled with verified resources and information.
On May 22 an EF-5 tornado devastated Joplin and now people are searching for trusted resources and dependable information. As an official source, RebuildJoplin.org is endorsed by the City of Joplin, Joplin Schools, United Way 2-1-1 and multiple partner organizations.
As the recovery continues, RebuildJoplin.org will adjust to the changing needs of the community relief efforts.
Bright Futures is a grass roots, community based program that creates partnerships and utilizes community resources for the common goal of helping our kids and strengthening our families and community. In the wake of the destruction, Bright Futures is adapting a successful program to the needs of those impacted by the tornado.
Details: Jerrod Hogan, 417-540-1733 or email news@rebuildjoplin.org.
Harmed-area Emergency Loan Priority system helps Joplin area
• State Treasurer Clint Zweifel has authorized Jasper, Newton and Pettis counties to be added to the list of counties eligible for 24-hour approvals of low-interest Missouri Linked Deposit Program loans in response to the need created by the recent tornadoes.
The 24-hour loan approval process is known as the Harmed-area Emergency Loan Priority system, or HELP.
Treasurer Zweifel was in Joplin on Sunday for the memorial service, and will work with lenders, small business owners and farmers in the coming weeks to make sure they know low-interest capital is available to assist with cleaning up and rebuilding when needed. His office has been processing qualified completed loan applications in 24-hours for Jasper and Newton counties since May 23 and Pettis County since May 25.
“This spring Missourians across the state have been challenged by Mother Nature, but we are resilient. Already these communities are beginning to put pieces back together and rebuild,” Treasurer Zweifel said. “Small businesses and farms in Jasper, Newton and Pettis need red tape removed so they can rebuild – and HELP does that. Sunday was an emotional day for Joplin and for our state – my team is focused on providing needed resources as we move forward together. We will work with local lenders and the community to make sure that qualifying loans get the 24-hour approvals the people of Joplin and Sedalia need during this difficult time.”
Treasurer Zweifel first authorized the HELP system after the tornado in the St. Louis area and recent flooding in southeast Missouri. HELP eligible counties are determined by Treasurer Zweifel using executive orders, disaster requests, State Emergency Management Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency information and Agricultural Disaster Designations and Declarations.
Prior to Treasurer Zweifel authorizing the HELP system for approving completed Missouri Linked Deposit Program loan applications, the wait time was 10 days for approval once a partner lender submitted a completed application.
Since the implementation of HELP, six loans worth $1.2 million have received priority approval in qualified counties.
“I understand that this will be a long-term process as the community considers the next steps and businesses evaluate their future. I will keep this authorization in place as long as is needed,” Treasurer Zweifel said. “I also encourage local lenders to speed up their approval process so they can send qualifying applications to me as soon as possible.”
Treasurer Zweifel has authorized the HELP system for completed qualifying applications in the following counties: Barry, Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Christian, Douglas, Dunklin, Howell, Iron, Jasper, Lawrence, Madison, Maries, McDonald, Mississippi, New Madrid, Newton, Oregon, Ozark, Pemiscot, Perry, Pettis, Phelps, Pike, Polk, Pulaski, Reynolds, Ripley, St. Charles, St. Francois, St. Louis, St. Louis City, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, Stone, Taney, Texas, Washington, Wayne, Webster and Wright.
Loan applications received from counties not qualifying for the HELP system will be approved within the normal 10 day time frame. Interested borrowers should contact their lender, visit www.treasurer.mo.gov/linkeddeposit or call 573-751-2372.
(About the Missouri Linked Deposit Program: The Missouri Linked Deposit Program is managed by State Treasurer Clint Zweifel. Missouri-based small businesses with up to 99 employees and farmers are eligible to receive a loan through the Missouri Linked Deposit Program based on lender underwriting standards. Additionally, local governments, housing developments and alternative-energy focused projects may qualify for the low-interest loans. About 115 lenders with 350 branches throughout Missouri use the Missouri Linked Deposit Program. An extensive list of participating lenders and program eligibility guidelines are online at www.treasurer.mo.gov/LinkedDeposit.)
Catholic Charities Joplin Recovery Center opens
• Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri has opened the Catholic Charities Joplin Recovery Center at McAuley High School, 930 S. Pearl Ave.
Services offered include: information and referral services, crisis, grief and loss counseling, diapers, baby food and formula, cleaning and laundry supplies, and clothing and non-perishable food.
Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri, a member of Catholic Charities USA, was established only two years ago with just two full time employees.
The CCUSA disaster response team contacted CCUSA affiliates around the country to deploy disaster-trained employees to assist the efforts of Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri in Joplin.
Since Hurricane Katrina, the Catholic Charities network elevated its role in disasters to become one of the country’s leading early responders. The CCUSA team’s disaster experience covers the gamut of natural events, ranging from Hurricane Katrina, California wildfires, floods, tornadoes, American Samoa tsunami, and many others.
Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri and CCUSA will continue to offer assistance for tornado recovery for as long as it is needed. Those wishing to assist the Catholic Charities efforts in Joplin can mail donations to Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri at 601 S. Jefferson Ave., Springfield, Mo. 65806. Learn more about Catholic Charities USA at www.catholiccharitiesusa.org. Also, monetary donations and gift cards can be mailed to Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri, 812 S. Pearl Ave., Joplin Mo. 64801.
Details: Amanda Janis, Catholic Charities USA Disaster Response, 703-268-9879, ajanis@CatholicCharitiesUSA.org. More information also is available at www.ccsomo.org. The Catholic Charities Center phone number is 417-616-9314.
Benefit establised for tornado victim
• Two accounts at local banks have been set up for Crystal Whitely, age 30, who lived on 18th Street in Joplin when the tornado hit.
She lost everything and was in Freeman Hospital after the storm with staples in her head, collapsed lung and broken ribs. She lost her oldest daughter, Shante Caton, 10, and her son Trentan Caton, 6. Her youngest daughter, Keana Caton, 4, was sent to Cox Hospital in Springfield with a collapsed lung. They were both released Friday.
The two accounts have been established to try and help her through this crisis.
Donations may be made to the Crystal Whitely Benefit Account at The American Bank in Baxter Springs Kan., and one at her bank, The Shante and Trentan Caton Donation Fund at Liberty Bank in Joplin.
Details: Karen Lawson, Crystal’s aunt, e-mai to klawsons5@yahoo.com.
Drury Hotels donates to relief efforts in Joplin
• Drury Hotels will donate $25,00 to the American Red Cross to assist relief efforts in Joplin.
In the wake of the devastating tornado, Drury Hotels sent supplies to help recover and rebuild the community.
Drury Hotels has been a part of the Joplin community since 1990. The Drury Inn and Suites in Joplin was not damaged in the storm and is housing storm victims and relief workers.
Details: 1-800-druryinn or www.druryhotels.com.
Disaster opens at Fairview Baptist Church
• A disaster relief center is now open at the Fairview Baptist Church at 4300 S. Joplin Ave.
The center, a collaboration between the church members and American Legion Post 13 will be opened form 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Food, water, clothing, toys and diapers will be available for storm victims.
