Agencies Seek Money to Aid Bomb Victims

Directors of Ventura County’s nonprofit agencies are requesting cash donations to aid victims of Wednesday’s bombing of a federal building in Oklahoma City, instead of the traditional help of blankets and clothing.

Because the disaster struck an office building rather than a neighborhood, victims are in need of the services that cash donations can provide, said Brian Bolton, executive director of the American Red Cross of Ventura County.

“Financial contributions would be best at this point,” Bolton said. “That enables the local (American Red Cross) chapter to do the things it needs to do.”

Investigators suspect a car bomb carrying more than 1,000 pounds of explosives may have been responsible for the Wednesday morning blast, which killed dozens of people and injured hundreds of others.

For Ventura County residents who want to help, volunteer organization representatives agree that money would be the most valuable donation.

“What we’re doing in the Oxnard area is accepting donations and forwarding them to our divisional office,” said Lt. Fred Morasky of the Salvation Army chapter in Oxnard. “We’re just looking for monetary donations at this time, because we don’t yet know the scope of what’s involved.”

Carolyn Tyner, executive director of United Blood Services of Ventura County, said she has received many calls offering donations of blood but that health-care officials in Oklahoma have not yet requested extra blood.

“There’s a big influx of donors in Oklahoma, and they’re able to take care of people locally,” Tyner said. “Donors are literally lined up around the block.”

However, Tyner said, the Ventura County blood bank is running on just two days’ supply and is seeking donors.