Bridge Creek Multi-Agency Resource Center Now Open

Days after devastating storms wiped out homes in the Bridge Creek area, the community continues to come together to clean up.

In the midst of a mangled mess Bridge Creek couple Mike and Thearesa McDonald don't know where to begin.

"Cleanup is the most. We just need the right materials to get something done,” said Thearesa.

The May 6 tornado tore their home apart as they took refuge inside their storm shelter with their two dogs. Now the couple, in need of everything, came to the right place at the Bridge Creek Multi-Agency Resource Center.

"It's been stressful. I mean we're still kind of numb. We just don't know what to do really," McDonald said.

The disaster relief one-stop-shop inside the Bridge Creek Upper Elementary School gym is the perfect place to start.

5/7/2015 Related Story: Gov. Mary Fallin Surveys Storm Damage In Bridge Creek

"It's really the next step in recovery for these families. They can start meeting with Red Cross case workers to get those emergency needs being met and meet with other agencies. There are many gaps, and recovery and relief is bigger than any one agency, and that's why it takes partners to make it happen,” said Ken Garcia of the Red Cross.

While there's already a setup like this in another hard hit area in Southeast OKC, the latest center helps to assist storm victims from the Bridge Creek, Newcastle, Blanchard and Tuttle areas. It's put on by the Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, including the Salvation Army, Team Rubicon, United Way and Catholic Charities.

Bridge Creek resident Stacy Clark is at the resource center to volunteer as a welcome ambassador.

"I was raised to, if you can give back, give back everything you have. My family lost everything on May 3, so we're a community here to help. That's Bridge Creek,” Clark said.

Clark's 8-year-old niece, Hailey Partin, hit her head on her storm shelter door when high winds move it, but Partin is also volunteering at the very school she attends.

"I just think it's nice how everybody's trying to help Bridge Creek get through this," Partin said.

Getting through with services from cleanup and counseling to clothing and canned goods is the helping hand the McDonalds need as they plan to rebuild.

"We like the community, and we'll stay. This our place," Mike said.

The McDonald's are now staying with relatives in Oklahoma City.

Learn how you can help the McDonalds.