Glenn Beck Foundation Helps OK Relief Efforts

UPDATED: 11AM 6/3/2013:  Emotions ran high on Saturday when eight Cleveland County, OK deputies received checks from Joe Kerry, the head of Glenn Beck’s nonprofit organization Mercury One.

According to The Norman Transcript, five of those deputies’ homes were completely destroyed during the May tornadoes while the other three deputies’ homes sustained damage. As Kerry handed each of them their check and shook each of their hands, he made a decision.

“I’m so moved by what I’m seeing in the room we’re going to double that money that we just gave you,” Kerry said.

The money was collected after Glenn Beck asked audience members to contribute and help raise funds for families impacted by the May 20 tornado, he said. Kerry also gave donations to the sheriff’s office and Shelter Oklahoma Schools, totaling somewhere near $720,000.

Kerry gave a $250,000 donation on behalf of Mercury One to the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office after hearing about the need for a better mobile command center to aide with the next disaster.

Sheriff Joe Lester also said he had been in contact with the Associated Builders and Contractors in Oklahoma, who said they were going to match Kerry’s donation.

Earlier that day, Kerry had also made a $350,000 donation on behalf of Mercury One to Shelter Oklahoma Schools, a group founded by several state representatives and local businesses.

The group plans to raise money to construct a shelter in every Oklahoma school, starting with those located in areas that are at high risk for tornadic activity.

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