Frugal Fritzie

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6 Months Later here in Joplin…

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(taken by myself shortly after the tornado out where our storage unit used to be)

Six months ago on a Sunday evening, a deadly EF5 tornado ripped through Joplin, Missouri, forever changing everyone’s lives here. May 22, 2011 seemed just like any other day, some people were out shopping, some visiting friends & family, some celebrating big events like high school graduation and others like myself who were simply preparing for the week ahead, little realizing what lay ahead for all of us. I would like to take a moment to remember the 161 lives that were lost. I have prayed a lot over the last few months and continue to do so for those that were lost and for those that are still recovering either physically, emotionally, mentally, or in many cases, all of the above. In some ways, this has been the longest six months I can ever remember going through. On the other hand, I cannot believe an entire half a year has gone by since the tornado, especially in the busy hustle-bustle of this holiday season. I have thought about the tornado and all that has happened since every single day and countless times I have sat down to write about my experiences, but countless times I walked away from my computer, deleted numerous drafts & in some cases simply collapsed in tears, unable to write a single word. I just wasn’t ready to talk about it, it all just seemed too raw to put into words, I wasn’t even sure how to start. But now, from time to time, in the coming months I’ll be setting some time aside to share my own thoughts and experiences starting the day of the tornado and going on from there. I hope in sharing, perhaps others will feel free to share as well. I think the more we talk about our experiences, the more it helps us heal. More to come soon…

Joplin: 3 Month Anniversary Today…

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I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the fact that it has been three months today since the massive tornado ripped through Joplin on May 22, 2011 and changed our lives forever. I was sitting here this morning at my computer going about my daily routine when the weekly tornado drill siren went off this morning here in Joplin (which it does every Monday morning at 10:00am). My fingers froze on my keyboard as I thought about everything that has transpired during & since the tornado, feeling, well, I think every possible emotion one person can have at one time. While I still feel such an immense feeling of sadness & grief for the loss of life, the injuries and all the daily struggles since the tornado I am also filled with hope for what lies ahead. So many people here in Joplin, admidst getting their own lives back in order, have pushed aside their own struggles and have done everything they can to get Joplin onto the road of recovery as quickly as possible. Not only that, but people from all over the United States and around the world have helped in any way they could and that has been nothing short of astounding. I would like to point out a couple celebrations that are going on today, feel free to share any other events coming up in Joplin:

  • Walgreens Grand Re-Opening Event 8/22/11 from 4:00-8:00 pm: Walgreens Celebrates Re-opening of Two Joplin, Mo. Stores. The one on Rangeline was completely destroyed & the one on Main Street was heavily damaged. The location at Range Line Road and 20th Street was completely rebuilt from the foundation up at a pace faster than any other store in the company’s 110-year history. Today, Walgreens will mark the re-openings with ceremonial ribbon-cuttings at both locations at 4 p.m., kicking off a host of community activities through 8 p.m. The events will include music, free food and giveaways, kids’ crafts and face painting, free blood pressure, blood glucose and bone density checks and free diabetes consultations from local physicians.
  • Joplin Tea Town USA Celebration at Cunningham Park 8/22/11 from 6:00-8:00 pm: Everyone is invited to this event , it starts at 6pm at Cunningham Park. Free Tea and Cookies, prizes to be given away! And an Awards Ceremony with a $15,000 Check to be given to Cunningham Park! Also in news related to Cunningham Park, you can vote for Joplin’s Cunningham Park to win a $100,000 Grant from Coca-Cola HERE, they are currently in third place.

Update #3: Online Donation Drive for Joplin Tornado Relief

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A whole box of kid’s books from the 2nd Grade Class at The Nantucket New School…


that also included a very special card! 🙂

Hi all, checking in with another update on how the Online Donation Drive for Joplin Tornado Relief is progressing. It’s been truly amazing, so far around 40-45 boxes have been received from all over the United States from Coast to Coast, North & South, East & West (and an entire car-load of baby supplies too)! The boxes have been coming in lovingly filled to the brim, stuffed with goods to help out everyone here in Joplin affected by the tornado. Some have included very touching notes & cards, some even handmade (precious!). I’m keeping all of these wonderful cards & notes together and will make sure they get to the right place where they can be enjoyed by everyone here in Joplin. I also wanted to mention one particular box that came in yesterday from the 2nd Grade Class at The Nantucket New School in Nantucket, MA- this big box arrived packed with all sorts of wonderful kid’s books and the most awesome card I have ever seen, signed by the students. It was simply wonderful & brought tears to my eyes. As your own card stated, you all rock! ♥

I’ve gotten a few emails asking if the Online Donation Drive is still ongoing, and yes it is! Please feel free to continue sending items as you are able, I’ll make sure they get distributed to those affected by the tornado. I’m continuing to log all the items received from this drive on a google spreadsheet, you can check it out anytime HERE. If you’d like to send items, here’s an Updated list of needs you can go by if you like:

  • Non-Perishable Food, Any
  • Trash-Bags
  • Over-the-counter Medications (especially pain relievers)
  • Baby Supplies such as Diapers, Wipes, Baby Food, etc.
  • Dog Food
  • Cat Food
  • Toothbrushes
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Laundry Detergent
  • Cleaning Supplies
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect Repellent
  • Paper Plates & plastic utensils
  • Kleenex
  • Bathroom Tissue
  • Paper Towels
  • Plastic Storage or Freezer Bags (any size)
  • Work Gloves
  • Tarps
  • Kid’s Toys or Books, any age (gently used is fine)
  • Note: Clothing is not needed at this time.

Mail to:
Disaster Relief/Frugal Fritzie
c/o Connie’s Antiques
5171 N. Main St.
Joplin, MO 64801

If you would rather make a monetary donation, you can do so through American Red Cross.


Boxes are coming in from all over the United States!


One of the Tornado Relief Centers (this one was at the Ozark Gateway Realtors, they’ve since shifted all of their received donations to a nearby church)


Some of the much needed baby supplies received from this online donation drive.

Again, thank you so much for your support & for your prayers. They are both so very much appreciated. Bless you! ♥

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Dillons in Joplin, MO: Temporary Pharmacy Location & Red Cross Tornado Relief Update

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News Release from Dillons:

COMMITMENT TO JOPLIN REMAINS AS DILLONS READIES A TEMPORARY PHARMACY LOCATION AND “RED CROSS TORNADO RELIEF DRIVE” CONTINUES WITH MORE THAN $117,000 IN DONATIONS

HUTCHINSON, KANSAS, June 10, 2011 – Through an ongoing commitment to the community, Dillon Stores today shared plans to open a temporary Dillons Pharmacy mobile unit at their existing site, 1402 E. 20th Street in Joplin, MO.

While the team from Dillons continues work to ready the site, the pharmacy unit is expected to open on Monday, June 13 in Joplin. The hours of operation will be as follows:

· 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Monday through Friday

· 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM on Saturday

· Closed on Sunday

When visiting the temporary Dillons Pharmacy, customers will be greeted by many familiar faces of the pharmacists and technicians from the original store’s pharmacy.

“Our top priorities for Dillons have always been focused on the needs of our associates in Joplin and community in the wake of this disaster,” said Sheila Lowrie, Dillons Spokeswoman. “With the opening of our new Dillons Pharmacy, we can help ensure our customers and associates have convenient access to the medications they need and the care from a familiar, friendly face.”

This commitment to Joplin can also be seen through the ongoing “Red Cross Tornado Relief” donation drive. Thanks to the generosity of customers and associates, more than $58,500 has been collected through a “round up” at cash registers at all locations. Dillons Stores has also pledged an additional “dollar-for-dollar” matching contribution to the Red Cross, bringing the current contribution to more than $117,000.

Customers and associates may give a cash donation at coin-boxes or round-up their grocery order to the nearest dollar at the register while doing their regular grocery shopping. Donations are now being accepted at all Dillons, Baker’s, Gerbes, and Fremont Food 4 Less in Nebraska through June 18, 2011. 100% of funds collected will benefit the Red Cross’ tornado relief efforts. The “Red Cross Tornado Relief” donation drive has been made possible by the additional support of local media partners:

· Wichita, KS: KAKE TV (ABC)

· Topeka, KS: WIBW TV (CBS)

· Springfield, MO: Clear Channel Radio

· Columbia, MO: Zimmer Radio Group

“The generosity of our customers and associates is truly remarkable,” Lowrie added. “Time and time again, our customers and employees step forward to help with open hearts when disasters strike. With one week remaining in our ‘Red Cross Tornado Relief’ drive, more than $58,500 has been gracious donated at our stores. Combined with a matching contribution from Dillons, together we will provide $117,000 to the Red Cross, as of today. Every donation counts and we thank our customers, associates, and media partners for their support.”

Dillons has also pledged $250,000 to the Ozark Food Harvest in support of continued relief efforts and provided a semi-truck load of water and food to assist with essential needs at the Joplin Red Cross Command Center, shortly following the storm.

Thanks Dillons!

Update #2: Online Donation Drive for Joplin Tornado Relief

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Hi all, I wanted to give everyone an update on how the Online Donation Drive for Joplin Tornado Relief is progressing. Donations have been coming in from all over the country, from coast to coast, it’s amazing! Donations have been sent from New York, Oregon, Ohio, Iowa, West Virginia, Indiana, Illinois, Texas, Louisiana, here in Missouri & Kansas.

And I just want to say to those of you who’ve sent items, it touches me so much that you’ve taken time out of your busy lives to collect, pack and spend your hard-earned money to ship the items to help towards Joplin Tornado Relief. I feel truly blessed to be participating in this drive and I just want to thank each & every one of you. I also want to thank all of those that have donated to Red Cross & dropped off donations, I’ve been hearing from a lot of readers in Springfield (for example) that have dropped off many, many items at various drop-off locations around the city. I’ve been logging all the items received from this online donation drive on a google spreadsheet, you can check it out HERE. Keep in mind it’s a work in progress, so feel free to check back for updates. I’ve sorted the donations by type to best distribute the items where they’re most needed and I’ll update later this week where all of these awesome donations have been distributed to. I’m also collecting & logging all the heartfelt notes that were included in shipments & will be distributing those as well. Again, thank you everyone for all your help, it means the world to us down here in Joplin in the heart of the southwest corner of Missouri.

Donations items, Sorted:


Baby Items galore, Food, Toiletries, First Aid items, Pet Food, Oh My!


A Whole Box of Toothpaste!


Toiletries & First Aid Items


Whole Box of Toothbrushes, Wow!


Even Toys & Books for the Kiddos!

Bless You! ♥

Update: Online Donation Drive Tornado Relief for Joplin, MO

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I wanted to post an update on how the Online Donation Drive Tornado Relief for Joplin, MO is coming along. Donations are starting to come in, thanks so much! I’ve started a spreadsheet that lists the donations that have come in by item, where they came from & where they’ve been distributed. I’ll also have a slideshow, more pictures & more details coming soon. NOTE: If you’re in Joplin and you’ve been affected by the tornado or you know someone that has, please don’t hesitate to contact me now or at any point in the future.

Thanks Kristan!

Thanks Tim!

Dillons Rebuilding in Joplin, MO & Donating $250,000 (and more!)

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Dillons has released a press release announcing that they WILL be rebuilding in Joplin. Hallelujah! That is a wonderful bit of news amidst all the heartbreak & loss our community is going through. Dillons is also providing much-needed financial relief as well as assistance to their employees. Their press release:

DILLONS STORES COMMITS TO REBUILD IN JOPLIN, MISSOURI, DONATES $250,000 PLUS A DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR MATCH FOR RELIEF EFFORTS, AND PROVIDES ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR DILLON ASSOCIATES

HUTCHINSON, KANSAS, May 28, 2011 – In ongoing efforts to support the community of Joplin, MO, Dillon Stores as a division of The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced its commitment to rebuild and pledges a $250,000 contribution to the Ozark Food Harvest and a dollar-for-dollar matching contribution to the Red Cross’ tornado relief efforts.

While complete details of the rebuilding project remain under consideration, the Dillons team will work closely with Joplin city officials to determine the best approach, as the community begins to redevelop.

“The tragedy in Joplin is unimaginable and it will take all of us working together to begin healing. We hope that today’s announcement to rebuild, our ongoing help to Ozark Food Harvest and financial support to the Red Cross is a step forward for the Joplin community in the aftermath of this devastating tornado. Dillons has been a part of the Joplin community for the past 30 years and we’re pleased to be a part of its future,” said Joe Grieshaber, president of Dillon Stores.

Dillons will donate $250,000 to the Ozark Food Harvest in support of its enduring commitment to ending hunger in the communities it serves, with the donation reserved for further relief efforts in Joplin.

An additional dollar-for-dollar matching contribution will be provided to the Red Cross tornado relief efforts on behalf of Dillons to support the generosity of its customers. With its ongoing Red Cross Relief Drive for tornado victims, customers and associates may give a cash donation at coin-boxes or round-up their grocery order to the nearest dollar at the register while doing their regular grocery shopping. Donations are now being accepted at all Dillons, Baker’s, or Gerbes locations. 100% of these contributions and the matching donation will benefit the Red Cross’ tornado relief efforts. In the first few days of the drive, nearly $15,000 has been collected for the Red Cross, thanks to the generosity of customers and associates.

Additionally, a semi-truck load of supplies including bottled water, paper products, and snack items has been donated to the Joplin Red Cross Command Center to assist with immediate relief efforts and essential needs.

“Our top priority has always been our associates in Joplin and the community, in the wake of this disaster, added Grieshaber. “We are extremely proud of our team in Joplin and their efforts to quickly respond to the warning on Sunday night. Thanks to their immediate reactions with our emergency safety plans, all 35 people in Dillons at the time of storm escaped with only a few minor injuries. This is truly remarkable in light of the complete destruction.”

Dillon Stores has also announced additional support options for associates serving in Joplin, MO to offer continued employment with a number of options. Dillons will offer transfers for continued employment, relocation allowances, and financial assistance through its internal “Helping Hands” fund with contributions from across the Kroger Family of Stores. For associates with unique needs, Dillons will offer a generous severance package for associates who must make the best decision for their families.

“We understand that everyone’s personal circumstances are unique and uncertainty about the future is difficult. So we’re doing everything we can to help our associates find job opportunities in nearby stores and assisting them in many other ways,” Grieshaber added.

Thanks Sheila!

And I just want to say, I ♥ Dillons and I was so relieved to hear everyone that was in Dillons during the tornado survived. One of the many things I love about my Dillons here in Joplin is the warm & welcoming staff who were always quick to help and I hope to see them all again after Dillons rebuilds.

Tastefully Simple Fundraiser for Joplin Tornado Relief

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Jacki is a consultant for Tastefully Simple  and she is hosting a fundraiser on her site for the tornado victims Joplin, Missouri. You can place an order through my posting here and she is generously donating all her profits to the relief effort.

To place an order for this fundraiser, go to: www.tastefullysimple.com/web/jpitkow and select your purchase. When checking out, select the host as (first name): Joplin (last name) Missouri . Make sure that is selected so Jacki knows that your order is for the fundraiser.

Tastefully Simple has simple easy to use products which only take 1 or 2 ingredients to make. They ship anywhere in the US and the products are great for everyday meals, gifts and entertaining. It’s what for dinner! Jacki can be reached at jpitkow (at) comcast (dot) net with any questions.

Thanks Jacki! ♥