Walgreens aiding Oklahoma tornado victims

In response to this week’s deadly tornado near Oklahoma City, Walgreens has donated three semitrailers of food, water, and first aid supplies to the American Red Cross. The company is also encouraging customers at its Oklahoma locations to make $1, $5 and $10 donations to disaster-relief efforts.

On Monday, dozens of people were killed by a tornado near Oklahoma City believed to be one-mile wide with winds up to 200 mph.

“Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to the people of Moore and the entire Oklahoma City area who suffered such devastating losses,” said Bill Miller, Walgreens’ market vice president for Oklahoma. “They include our neighbors, our customers, and our employees, and we want to support them in any way we can.”

In addition to increasing shipments of food, water, first aid supplies, and tetanus shots to its Oklahoma locations, Walgreens is working with the Oklahoma Board of Pharmacy to help displaced patients refill prescriptions if they lack documentation or an empty prescription bottle.

Walgreens has first-hand knowledge of the tornado’s devastation. At least 18 of its employees suffered losses ranging from cars damaged to homes destroyed. And a Walgreens store in Moore was damaged and is temporarily closed.