Marionville, Missouri, May 9, 2003— In the wake of Sunday’s tornado that destroyed homes, buildings and lives in the Marionville, Missouri area, many horses have been left wounded and without the necessities for survival. Several horses were killed or had to be euthanized from injuries sustained when one of the worst tornadoes in Missouri history ripped through the state. The horses that survived faced injuries and loss of shelter, food and water.

Among the hardest hit was Stokely Stables, outside of Battlefield, Missouri. More than 30 horses were injured when the barns were destroyed. “This is the worst thing I’ve ever seen,” said JoAnn Hood, owner of Home and Livestock One Stop in Marionville. “There is such a widespread area of destruction. Fences are gone; feed is gone and people need help.” At the suggestion of a friend, Ms. Hood began to contact manufacturers of horse supply products to send first aid supplies, halters, lead ropes, water troughs, buckets, etc.

Aloe Advantage was the first company to donate supplies for the victims. Cases of their first aid products, the 3 Step Wound Care System™, were shipped to Marionville to be used to treat the numerous cuts, scrapes and gashes caused by flying debris. “As horse owners ourselves we can only imagine what it must be like to lose everything and have your treasured horses injured,” said Kerry Glakeler, President of Aloe Advantage. “We are not that far from the devastation, so we wanted to do whatever we could to help the horses and give a little comfort to the owners.”

Other supplies are still needed, including hay, feed and water. Aloe Advantage has set up an email hotline for those interested in donating supplies to the horses. Email them at tornadorelief@aloeadvantage.com or visit their web site at www.aloeadvantage.com

Earlier in the week Ms. Hood donated the use of her water truck to help get water to the horses and cattle whose water supply was gone. Ms. Hood has generously volunteered to help coordinate relief efforts for horses and other animals in Marionville. Her phone number at the Home and Livestock One Stop is 417-463-7555. “This is such a small area that everyone knows someone who was directly impacted by the tornado,” she explained.

David Lipsmeyer of K and K Veterinary Supply, who also helped coordinate donations, said, “In times like these you find the generosity of people helping people.”

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