CALL TO ACTION: Volunteers and Donated Items Needed to Help Tornado Victims in Georgia

As I said during our call to action during the flooding in Louisiana, EACH AND EVERY TIME there is any kind of disaster like this, every member in this org that is in that area, or within driving range, needs to step up and help.  Not only is it simply the right thing to do, as an American, but it is also a golden opportunity to win hearts and minds, and to work our mission, leading by example to show Americans what they need to do as citizens.  It is a win-win all around, on many levels.

You should consider it a “standing order” or standard expectation of you as a member of Oath Keepers (or just as a patriot) that you will step up in your community when any disaster strikes, including natural disasters (fires, floods, tornadoes, earth quakes, hurricanes, etc) and man-made incidents (such as riots, terrorist attacks, mass shootings, etc), and pitch in to help.  Even if all you do is help serve soup or unload trucks, you need to do it.  If it is outside your state, then you of course have more discretion and whether you travel across state lines to help will depend on your ability to get time off work, whether you can afford the gas, etc. That is up to you to decide. I would encourage you to go and help if you can, but I won’t fault you if you cannot do so.

But if it is in your area, such as in your county, or in your town, you MUST step up.  A failure to do so is a failure to do your duty both as an Oath Keeper and also simply as an American. I am of course not telling you to try to do anything outside of your capability, training, physical limitations, etc. but if you show up and offer to help, you will be put to work, doing something.

We need to lead by example, and all it requires is the willingness and a bit of time. Even if it is a couple of hours after work, do it.

And, I would also remind all of you of how critical it is that you become involved in your local first-responder community even when there is no current disaster.  Join your local volunteer fire department, EMT team, search and rescue, police auxiliary, sheriff posse, reserve deputy program (if they exist), local CERT, or state defense force (Georgia, for example, has the excellent Georgia State Defense Force, that would welcome new volunteers) etc.. There will be some form of volunteer first-responder team you can join.  I have yet to see a community that didn’t have at least one of the above or something similar.  Again, we need to walk our talk and lead by example.  And there is no better way to strengthen your local community and also reach, teach, and inspire them than by being part of the existing first-responder community.

And once you have done so, then you can start to work on building what else should be there, but is missing, as discussed here.  If you go back and read our initial launch of the CPT program, you will see that joining the local first-responder community was listed as a high priority first step for all CPT members.  It still is.  These tornadoes, along with the recent floods and fires, just serve as examples of why that is so critical.  Disaster can hit any community, at any time.