Metro Detroit Aids Joplin Tornado Victims
SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) - The devastation caused by the recent tornado that ripped through Joplin, Missouri has a local judge spearheading a relief convoy to that part of the south.
WWJ Newsradio 950 spoke with 51st District Judge Jodi Debrecht, who is a native of Missouri. Debrecht fought back tears as she talked about tragic stories coming out of that part of Missouri.
"I have two small children and when I think about the story of a woman who was running to safety and she's carrying her small child, I think the child was reported at 16-months-old... gone, ripped from her arms. They found it in a lake," Debrecht said. 
Judge Debrecht, Main Street Oakland and the general public have begun collecting cash and goods that will help Missouri residents get back on their feet.
The convoy of semis and flat beds carrying construction equipment will leave Oakland County June 16.
The collection points are located in the following Main Street Oakland County communities:
Community - Drop-off site address
• Farmington Public Services 33720 Nine Mile
• Ferndale – Simply Self Storage 181 West Marshall
• Franklin Village Hall 32325 Franklin Road
• Highland Fire Station No. 1 250 West Livingston Road
• Holly DPW 201 Elm Street
• Lake Orion DDA 51 North Broadway
• Ortonville DPW 159 Cedar
• Oxford DDA 22 West Burdick
• Rochester DPW 1141 North Wilcox
• Walled Lake DPW 718 North Pontiac Trail
• Oakland County Government 1 Public Works Drive, Building 95 West, Waterford
The following supplies are needed:
• Portable power generators
• Heavy duty extension cords (all sizes)
• Construction lighting
• Electric fans (all sizes)
• Wheelbarrows
• Garden rakes and shovels
• New or used power tools (circular saws, drills, chop saws, miter saws, nail guns, etc.)
• Dust masks, work gloves and eye safety goggles
• Construction safety grade hard hats
• Contractor grade garbage bags
• Plastic storage containers (all sizes)
• Tarps and bungee cords
• Ropes (all sizes)
• Pet food
• Children's books
All donations will go directly to help with the recovery of the Joplin tornado victims. For more information, go to http://www.jodihelpsjoplin.com/ or follow the effort on Twitter @JodiHelpsJoplin.
Photo at right: 51st District Court Judge Jodi Debrecht (second from left) with others assisting in the disaster relief effort. (credit: Dave Leval)
