I know everyone is watching the tragedy and wanting to help in some way. If you can, donate to the charity of your choice.

If you can't and want to do SOMETHING and you live in Oklahoma, I may have an opportunity for you.

Oklahoma is one of the overflow states, we're starting to get groups from Louisana and Texas. There are 2 groups now housed in Oklahoma. One group of 1,500+ at Camp Gruber (in Eastern Oklahoma) and second group this week could be almost 3,000+ at Falls Creek (in Southern Oklahoma).

I know it's not much, but having lived on MRE's as they are now doing, they could use a good meal and I think Oklahoma BBQ could just be the thing.

Just saw this post at BBQ Search, and I'm going to help organize the BBQ'ers and anyone who wants to help (I say that and wait for the massive response):

quote:

Posted by terry adair on September 05, 2005 at 11:23:54:

Hi- my name is Terry Adair.
Myself and 2 other Blue Star Moms spent a 12 hr. shift with the Red Cross at Camp Gruber helping the refugees get settled in their barracks.
Right now they will have breakfast and then lunch and supper will be MRE packs for all with some donated other foods from what I could see in the paperwork hand outs.
These people need some real food.
I was trying to organize a weekend later this month to have alot of "smokin people" bring their equipment and prepare the meats for a big cookout. It would be for 2000 or more. This is very early in the plan and it might be impossible.
Wondering if you could provide some suggestions, clubs, contact information of something being donelike this some place else to this capacity.. Any help you could give would be appreciated greatly.
Thank you very much.

Terry Adair Coweta,Oklahoma Blue Star Moms

Just got off the phone with Stuart and Donna at CS and they jumped right in. Stuart is working to get me a FE750 (the old 2000) on a trailer. He's going to let me know tomorrow if I can get it this week.

I've also emailed Terry the organizer and given her the basic idea of how I can help organize and contribute, I'll let everyone know, who wants to help, what happens.

Here are my thoughts:

1. Smoker to cook the food. I'm working that one.

2. Volunteers. I'm posting in a few forums for Okies and Arkies and any locals who want to help, or anyone in general certainly.

3. Meat. Working on that one, but I'm waiting to find out about refrigeration stoage. I'm thinking I can cook a lot of butts and briskets in a large FE.

4. Sauce/Rub. I'm going to contact Head Country.

I've got more thoughts and ideas, but I wanted to get this out there.

I'd like to plan something over maybe two weekends. My first plan is this weekend.

First one place, then another.

Any volunteers?

You can post here if you have ideas, even if you can't help, you're ideas are welcome.

You can email me at:

smokinokie at thebbqzone dot com

I've had experience with this, as I was involved with the Oklahoma City Bombing where I worked as a rescuerer and I know the value of a hot meal.

BBQ'ers do CARE!

My husband and I will help or contribute meat /side/ or whatever you decided to do.Let me know the specifics.For newbies it would be easier to supply meat and you,Russ, cook it as you are an expert.
I will send phone # on private msg if you need at this point. Kathy

I would love to help. Just let me know what I need to do. I know I can give money , meat , or cook it . I just have the 008 but can cook a few butts or Briskets. I can also get my golf group to help. Let me know by e-mail at drhood88@sbcgolbal.net. I will be going to Ardmore Sept 23,24,25 to play in a golf tournament. I could take what ever to Falls creek that week.

Any way the rest of us can kick in some cash to aid the cause (supplies, meat, sides, whatever...)? I could care less if it's tax deductible or not. Keep us posted!

No political discussions.

I've delete a few political (negative) posts and the responses as it was really confusing to read.

If you want to help...please post.

I'm working with the lady there today to try to figure out what they need and don't need. I'll post as soon as I have any details.

I have no idea what to ask you to do to help, but I'll let you know as soon as I do.

If you wish to assist, just email me or post that desire here and I'll add you to my email list

If you want to discuss, please find the appropriate forum.

This post is about helping others.

Russ

I would like to volunteer to help, and can probably bring a carload of teenagers with lots of energy.

Donna

I would be happy to help. I'm in Broken Arrow. I understand they are running into a problem (in a similar jesture in Texas) with food handling requirements. Do you know anything about the requirements?

BR

No details yet, but I'm aware of the concern some people have in Texas.

I'm sure we can work something out.

Russ

The Falls creek facility apparently has a cooking area where Baptist Gen convention can cook several thousand meals at a time. So maybe they have refrigeration etc and warming areas.Or county Fair grounds.

They just don't have a Smoker and a team that knows how to use it

alrighty then~

Talked with her and I'm waiting for a call from "the man in charge" Gary.

More soon.

Smokin

I live in Florida, too far away to attend when you get everything worked out let me know and I will try to send you some money. As far as refrigation goes check with some of the local trucking companies and see if one of them have a refer trailer they will park on site for a day or two I am sure they will be glad to help. The company that I used to drive for in Florida did that sort of thing all the time for big events that needed the cold storage on site. Hope you get ever thing worked out, and may God Bless your efforts. musserfl@aol.com

Looks like we're going to have to be pretty self contained here. As you can imagine, they're pretty busy, about 1,400 evacuees on site and 250+ volunteers.

I sent an email, but we're looking for lots of meat (brisket, butt, pork loin, pork ribs, sausage) some way to transport it there (my ice chest won't hold that much). I think I have a handle on a smoker and a few volunteers to help prep the meat and slice the meat.

We'll see if it can come together, they're getting tired already of some of the "food" they're having.

Smokin'

Russ,Do you know anyone at the Express Ranch around Yukon? they have lots of cattle(meat) and probably some trucks or something to haul.Bob Funk is Founder of,you know-Express Personnel..