Groups gather funds, hay to help fire victims
By Wednesday morning, members of the Canute FFA chapter had already collected three tractor-trailer loads of hay for fire victims in northwest Oklahoma.
“We want to help those who have had their lives turned upside down,” said Canute FFA President Satyn Steffes. “We all have to help each other out.”
The Canute FFA is accepting donations of hay and fencing materials. Any cash donated will be used to buy fencing materials at cost, according to chapter adviser Jeff Conner.
“Farmers have really supported the FFA, and this is a way we can give back to them,” Conner said.
Donations can be taken to Janning Welding and Supply in Elk City.
“A lot of farmers are losing cattle,” said Nick Janning, who serves the chapter as sentinel. “This shows that our chapter cares about people around the state.”
The Beaver County Farm Bureau is accepting donations of hay, feed and water at its office at 812 Douglas Ave. in Beaver. Cash donations are also accepted. For more information call 580-6253342.
“I was out there fighting the fires until 1:30 last night,” said Max Whipple, an agent with the Beaver County Farm Bureau.
“There are thousands and thousands of acres with nothing there.”
A relief fund has been established by the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation, a charitable arm of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association.
“It is humbling to see how generous folks can be to help those who are in need, and we are happy to provide a place for those funds to be held,” said Jeff Jaronek, coordinator of the foundation.
“We will coordinate with the extension offices in each county to organize relief efforts and to identify ranchers that are in need.”
OKC West Livestock Market in El Reno will donate and auction off a calf at noon March 22, with proceeds going to the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation fund.
Kripple E Cattle Co., owned by Kyle and Kelsy Eastwood, has donated a heifer to auction off at Cherokee Sales Co. at 11 a.m. March 29 with proceeds to go to the cattlemen’s foundation relief fund.
To donate, make checks payable to Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation and put “Fire Relief” in the memo line. Send to P.O. Box 82395, Oklahoma City, OK 73148. To donate online, visit www. okcattlemen.org.