I recently traveled the area affected by the Anderson Creek Fire of 2016 with Dennis Ricke – a local farmer/rancher/volunteer firefighter so I could write Neighbor Helping Neighbor. A year after the fire, Dennis still struggled to talk about the devastation without tearing up, especially the part about people having to kill livestock that were alive but severely burned.

Are you, like me, compelled to help those affected by the raging wildfires in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas but unsure how? Your heart hurts for strangers who lost their lives, homes, livestock and, most of all, their dreams.

One of the most important lessons I learned in 20 years as a minister and helping people deal with grief is this: people want to help others who are suffering but don’t know how. I assure you, any act of kindness means a tremendous amount to the people you are helping.

Here are practical, and secure, ways in which you can share their burdens:

Donate Money

You want to make sure your money is used wisely and goes to the people in greatest need. The Kansas Livestock Association did a fantastic job during the Anderson Creek Fire to make sure the right people received the help they needed.

Donate online by going here.  Or send a check with “Fire Relief Fund” in the memo to:

Kansas Livestock Foundation
601 SW 37th St.
Topeka, KS  66614

Young Farmers & Ranchers committees from Kansas and other states are raising money for young or beginning farmers who've been impacted by the fire. Their goal is to raise $50,000 and with a $50,000 donation from Monsanto, every dollar will be matched. To give or learn more, go here. 

Have a fundraiser 

• Pancake and sausage feed in your community or church
• Pass the hat amongst your friends, coworkers and family
• Set a goal and challenge your social media friends and followers

Please send money to the Kansas Livestock Association. Material needs change daily so it’s best to send money and let the folks on the ground use it wisely.

Lend a hand

If you want to roll up your sleeves and help clean up, then sign up individually or as a group at: Kansas Farm Bureau Fire Relief

Write a letter

Pen a few words of sympathy and support for the farmers and send it to the Farm Bureau offices in the following counties. Your letters will be shared with those impacted. I promise you, your words will give them comfort and hope.

Clark County Farm Bureau
PO Box 277
811 S. Main
Ashland, KS  67831-0277
Phone: 620-635-4424
clarkfb@kfb.org

Comanche County Farm Bureau
PO Box 607
101 W. Main
Coldwater, KS  67029-0607
Phone: 620-582-2194
comanchefb@kfb.org

Ford County Farm Bureau
PO Box 1117
100 Military Ave., Suite 219
Dodge City, KS  67801-1117
Phone: 620-227-6527
fordfb@kfb.org

Ellis County Farm Bureau
2809 Hall St.
Hays, KS  67601-1886
Phone: 785-639-4988
ellisfb@kfb.org

Hodgeman County Farm Bureau
PO Box 67
309 Main
Jetmore, Ks  67854-0067
620-357-1111
hodgemanfb@kfb.org

Lane County Farm Bureau
PO Box 528
202 W. Main
Ness City, KS  67839-0955
620-297-2196
lanefb@kfb.org

Ness County Farm Bureau
PO Box 528
202 W Main
Ness City, KS  67560-0528
785-798-3139
nessfb@kfb.org

Rooks County Farm Bureau
518 Main St.
Stockton, KS  67669-1932
Phone:  785-425-8330
rooksfb@kfb.org

Russell County Farm Bureau
315 E. Wichita Ave.
Russell, KS 67665
Phone:  785-324-9171
russellfb@kfb.org

I’ve watched a lot of people go through grief and know they are given courage and strength by others, even strangers, who demonstrate care and concern.

Let’s show our farmers and ranchers know how much we care and how sorry we are they are enduring such grief.

Your act of kindness is a light that shines hope in their darkness and gives courage to dream again.