KEEN Blog

How to Help Tornado Victims in Oklahoma

May 22nd, 2013 by KEEN

OKStrong.OK.gov

Our hearts go out to those in Oklahoma affected by the tornado.

We’re working with Project Sole to deliver 2,500 shoes on Saturday, May 25th to Moore, Oklahoma.  Project Sole will be offering shoes, water, snacks and toiletries as a way for the community to get back on its feet, and to build morale as they begin to rebuild their lives. The numbers are changing hourly, but as of now, Project Sole has a team of 20 volunteers in place. They plan on handing out the shoes at a designated church parking lot station, and dividing up the rest to visit the streets and people who may not be able to make it.

There are many ways that you can lend a hand. Several nonprofits are collecting donations for tornado victims, many of which have indicated that financial donations are preferred over supplies.

OKSTRONG DISASTER RELIEF FUND
Governor Mary Fallin, in coordination with the United Way of Central Oklahoma, has established the OKStrong Disaster Relief Fund to assist with the long-term medical, emotional and educational needs of victims of the May 20 tornado in Moore and the May 19 tornado near Shawnee. Donations for the long-term needs can be made by calling (405) 236-8441 or donating online at www.unitedwayokc.org.

DONATION OF SERVICES AND MATERIALS
Donation of services or materials from businesses (not cash donations), those should be directed to Keli Cain with the Oklahoma Dept. of Emergency Management at 405-521-2481.

RED CROSS
The Oklahoma Red Cross is asking people to donate by texting Red Cross to 90999 which will be a $10 donation, spokesman Ken Garcia said. Garcia said the donations allow the Red Cross purchase needed supplies. Those who are looking for family members can visit www.safeandwell.org, Garcia said. Local Red Cross units will be dispatched throughout the damaged area.

SALVATION ARMY
The Salvation Army Arkansas-Oklahoma Division has dispatched disaster response teams. Donations can be made to:The Salvation Army Disaster Relief, P.O. Box 12600, Oklahoma City, OK 73157. Designate Oklahoma Tornado Relief on all checks. Donate by phone: (800) 725-2769 or Donate online: donate.salvationarmyusa.org/uss/eds

REGIONAL FOOD BANK OF OKLAHOMA
The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, in partnership with Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, is asking that the public support all rescue, recovery and disaster relief efforts with donations of cash to your favorite rsponding charity. Donations of items such as clothing and supplies are strongly discouraged. Financial donations will allow disaster relief agencies to purchase whatever items are deemed necessary without resulting in the additional burden of securing warehouse space and volunteers to work donated product. To make a tax deductible donation to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, go to www.regionalfoodbank.org or call 604-7111 or text FOOD to 32333 to give $10 to relief efforts.

OKLAHOMA BAPTIST DISASTER RELIEF
With Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief teams already responding to severe weather from Sunday in several locations, including Shawnee, Edmond and Little Axe, Oklahoma Baptists are assisting with recovery efforts from the tornado that hit Moore. Those interested in helping can make a tax-deductible donation to the BGCO’s Disaster Relief ministry, by visiting www.bgco.org/donate or calling 942-3800. All money go toward disaster relief and helping victims. For photos, information and updates, visit the Oklahoma Baptists’ blog at www.okdisasterhelp.com.

OKLAHOMA BLOOD INSTITUTE
Donors to the Oklahoma Blood Institute provide every drop of blood needed by patients in all metro-Oklahoma City hospitals and 140 others across the state. Presently, the state’s blood supply is adequate to meet the needs of patients in all hospitals caring for victims of the Moore tornado. Since there is no substitute for blood, the supply constantly needs to be replenished. Anyone 16 years or older and in good health can generally donate blood. Those with O-negative and Rh-negative blood types are most needed. Locations of donor centers and mobile blood drives can be found at www.obi.org.

Additionally, 10 casinos in the Oklahoma City metro area will host blood drives later this week:

  • Riverwind Casino: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday
  • Lucky Star Casino, Concho: 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday
  • Sugar Creek Casino: 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday
  • FireLake Bowling Center: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday
  • Grand Casino: 1 to 6 p.m. Friday
  • Lucky Star Casino, Clinton: 1 to 6 p.m. Friday
  • Remington Park Racetrack & Casino: Noon to 5 p.m. Friday
  • Kickapoo Casino: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
  • Newcastle Casino: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday

UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
United Way of Central Oklahoma has activated its disaster relief fund, so individuals may give specifically to the May tornadoes relief and recovery efforts. Fund dollars will be distributed without administrative fees to United Way Partner Agencies working on the tornado relief efforts. To donate, go to www.unitedwayokc.org or by mail to United Way of Central Oklahoma, P.O. Box 837, Oklahoma City, OK 73101 with notation for May Tornado Relief. For more information, please contact Karla Bradshaw at (405) 235-3534.

FEED THE CHILDREN
Feed The Children has established five locations in Oklahoma City to accept donations that will aid victims of the Moore tornado.

  • Feed The Children McCormick Distribution Center, 29 N. McCormick
  • First Baptist Church, 1201 N. Robinson
  • KOCO-TV, 1300 East Britton Road
  • Faith Tabernacle Church, I-40 and Portland
  • TLC Garden Center, 105 West Memorial Road

Items that will be accepted at these locations are diapers, canned goods, non-perishable food and snack items, water and sports drinks. Cash donations are also welcome.

Feed The Children is coordinating with other organizations and with authorities to deliver disaster supplies as requests for aid are received. Water and lasagna has already been delivered to the American Red Cross and Salvation Army to help with hydration and meal preparation for first responders.

Cash donations to help with relief efforts can also be made by phone at 800-627-4556, online at www.feedthechildren.org/disaster, or by texting “DISASTER” to 80888.

TULSA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Tulsa Community Foundation, the nation’s largest community foundation, has established the Moore & Shawnee Tornado Relief Fund. This fund has received a lead gift of $100,000 from George Kaiser Family Foundation. Contributions to the Moore & Shawnee Tornado Relief Fund can be made securely online at www.TulsaCF.org. Donations can also be mailed to TCF offices at:

7030 S Yale, Suite 600
Tulsa, OK, 74136

(Source: www.okstrong.ok.gov)

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KEEN Cares #1: What Does it Mean to be a Good Corporate Citizen in 2013?

May 15th, 2013 by Eric

Photo by Ben Canales, Oregon Wild

2013 has been a year for celebrating at KEEN. As we turn 10 years old, we reflect on what this milestone represents for us: 10 years of hybrid innovation, 10 years of play and 10 years of giving back to our wild places.

From our humble beginnings in Alameda, CA to our new 50,000-square-foot home in the Pearl District of Portland, OR, conserving our natural resources and providing access to play – which we take full advantage of, and often – have always been top priorities.

“Caring has been central to KEEN’s DNA from day one,” says Chris Enlow, our Hybrid.Care & CSR Manager. “We made a promise to turn our ideals into action and put the interests of our fans and employees first – be it by restoring and protecting places to play, responding to victims of natural disasters or simply by helping to reduce waste.”

Photo by Miguel Samper, Mercy Corps

We’ve been honored over the years to have the opportunity to take our passion for the outdoors and our HybridLife philosophy of “create, play, care,” and apply them to our work with fans and partners. Together we have helped make a difference in our community and the world around us.

So here’s to you. We thank you for helping us make good on our promise and we look forward to seeing what we can accomplish, with your help, over the next 10 years.

Photo by Kevin Colburn, American Whitewater

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Paddleboards from Ambassador Drew Brophy: “Painting Story: Adventures in Americas Back Country”

May 13th, 2013 by Eric

KEEN Ambassador Drew Brophy recently painted two standup paddleboards for our new building. In case you’re unfamiliar with his work, Drew’s paintings always depict real life experiences, and the two boards he painted for us were no exception.

PADDLEBOARD PAINTING #1: THE GREAT NORTHWEST

This painting shows some of the wildlife my family and I saw on our five month trip across America last year.

The Trout: In Redfish Lake, Idaho, I was catching trout off of the paddleboard. It was funny; there were a few guys out there in a nice fishing boat, with all new equipment, and here I paddled out with my son’s fishing rod and a red bucket, and I was catching all the fish!

The Bear: While in the Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho, we saw a bear walking on the ridge not far from where we were parked. The kids were excited to see a bear in the wild, and I was glad it was far enough away!

The River: I took my inflatable Riviera Paddleboard down the Salmon River in Idaho for 11 miles. Along the way, being the only human in the water, I saw elk and deer and eagles. It was amazing.

PADDLEBOARD PAINTING #2: NELSCOTT REEF

This winter I finally got to surf giant waves at Nelscott Reef in Oregon. This painting shows the giant kelp you see out there, the big fish and of course a small surfer in a huge wave!

I wrote a post all about the Nelscott Reef Adventure, you can read it here: Mission to Surf Nelscott Reef – Big Waves in Oregon.

The rest of the story can be found on drewbrophy.com. Thanks, Drew!

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Dogs at KEEN: Meet Bean

May 5th, 2013 by Eric

Posted in KEEN, Play | No Comments »

Colorado River Named #1 Most Endangered River In The Nation

April 29th, 2013 by Eric

For more than two decades, American Rivers has released its annual list of America’s Most Endangered Rivers. American Rivers released the 2013 list earlier this month, and the river at the top—the most endangered river in the nation—is the mighty Colorado.

The Colorado River is a lifeline in the desert, its water sustaining tens of millions of people in seven states, as well as endangered fish and wildlife. Thirty million people in the Southwest depend on water from the Colorado River for their water and food. Not to mention the millions more who flock to the river to boat and raft and those who stand in awe atop the Grand Canyon to witness the breathtaking formations formed by this magnificent and powerful river.

As Americans we are lucky to have this river in our proverbial backyard. But our demands on the river’s water now far exceed its supply, leaving the river so over-tapped that it no longer flows to the sea. A century of water management policies and practices promoting wasteful water use have put the river at a critical crossroads.

Today, American Rivers is naming the Colorado River the #1 Most Endangered River in the country because of outdated water management. The Colorado River faces critical decisions this year, along with another summer of drought. The river is also emblematic of many of the water supply challenges—and opportunities—facing rivers and communities nationwide.

To address ongoing drought and increasing demand for water, and to put the Colorado River on a path to recovery, American Rivers and its partners are calling on Congress and the Obama Administration to help put the basin on a path to recovery. They’re urging Congress to provide funding to build a future that includes healthy rivers, state-of-the-art water conservation for cities and agriculture, and water sharing mechanisms that allow communities to adapt to warmer temperatures and more erratic precipitation.

Rivers are remarkably resilient. Time and again we have proven that, when we allow them to, rivers can restore themselves—and continue to benefit our communities in the process. The America’s Most Endangered Rivers report has a track record of success. Rivers listed in the past, like Wyoming’s Hoback River and Washington’s WhiteSalmon and Elwha rivers, have been saved. With your help, we can turn the Colorado River into a success story, too. We can take the first step today.

We urge you to take action to save the Colorado River today. And share your action with your friends online and on the ground. Together we can save the Colorado River.

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