As we all know, Sunday, May 22nd was a day of destruction and devastation for our neighbors and BNI “family” in Joplin, Missouri. An EF5 tornado ripped through the city destroying lives, dreams, homes and businesses. Being the most destructive tornado in 60 years, the death toll currently sits at 153.
On the following Monday as we began our emergency plan of contacting all BNI members in the Joplin area, we were very sad to find out that so many had lost their homes and/or their businesses. Just imagine surviving the tornado only to have no business left to provide for your family!
As part of our BNI family, we are deeply committed to our members. Our sincere thanks to all who donated to the BNI-Misner Foundation shortly after the deadly event to provide an early round of support. We also thank all members who have both planned and participated in other fundraising events such as the Casino Night for Joplin and the BNI networking and golf event.
Doug Hunt, long time member and president of the BNI - Greater Joplin Business Connection, has kept us updated on the events in Joplin. He posts photos and videos on Facebook weekly and has kept in contact with our BNI Director TEAM. On June 8th, nearly 3 weeks after the deadly tornado, Doug asked for prayers of strength, healing and to. He reminded us that people are still fighting for their lives, they are still struggling to find homes, and businesses have been completely disrupted. Doug posted “I have a friend who passed away and her kids are dealing with her death. Traffic patterns are completely different. I see people crying in their cars at stoplights…”. This ignighted a team of BNI members in the St. Louis area to start a plan of action to reach out to our BNI family members.
One of the most important keys to BNI is commitment!
Two things are true in our BNI community -- the first being that we are deeply commited to one another, and the second being that collectively we are a powerful group of people. We are capable of great things, and together we can truly make a difference in our community! Those two facts are what have inspired our Givers Gain® GALA! In the spirit of the Givers Gain® philosophy, which says that you when you give you also gain, we have planned this fundraising event to directly benefit the Joplin tornado victims.
Our Givers Gain® GALA is set for August 20th from 6-10 pm at the beautiful Roberts Mayfair Hotel located at 806 St. Charles Street St. Louis MO. PLEASE JOIN US for this wonderful night of dinner, dancing, cocktails, live entertainment, networking and a silent auction. Together in the spirit of Givers Gain®, we can make a difference!
Click HERE for tickets or to donate today!
Click HERE for tickets or to donate today!
Teresa Morris-Simon
Executive Director, BNI
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