2013 Oklahoma City tornado recovery efforts: Kevin Durant pledges $1 million

(Banner image h/t to Daily Thunder and Trey Kirby, courtesy Christine Van Timmeren)

The Oklahoma City tornado disaster recovery is underway, and at the forefront is the city's professional franchise, the Thunder.

Yesterday, Chesapeake Energy made a $1 million cash donation, and today, their franchise superstar followed suit. Per the American Red Cross:

@kdtrey5 steps forward and gives $1mil matching gift to the ARC for disaster relief, text "REDCROSS" to 90999 for a $10 donation.

— Red Cross Oklahoma (@redcrossokc) May 21, 2013

I agree with Daily Thunder's Royce Young, where he writes that, "Here’s the thing about Durant’s donation: It’s almost not news. Because it’s the least surprising thing ever. We’re so lucky to have him playing basketball in our city."

Obviously Durant can afford such generous measures, but I think that his willingness to step to the forefront has a strong leadership quality as well. He cares about his city so much that stroking a 7 figure check is an easy decision. Most of us cannot afford such sacrifice, but we can afford smaller sacrifice, so let us follow Durant's lead and give what we can.

The Red Cross of Oklahoma's Twitter feed has the pertinent information if you want to help, or you can call 1-800-RED-CROSS:

Best way to help tornado victims is to donate to the Red Cross at redcross.org or text REDCROSS to 90999. #okwx

— Red Cross Oklahoma (@redcrossokc) May 20, 2013

Want to help out in some other way? Take a look at this and consider what you do have that might be useful:

Kendrick Perkins is hosting a fundraising event on May 22nd at the Quail Springs Mall:

Please come out tomorrow and donate at Anthony David Platinum by Quail Springs Mall 10am 5pm

— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 21, 2013

Visit the Norman Chamber of Commerce Twitter feed and see what they could use. Here is a sampling:

Right now, Norman Regional is hosting a Blood Drive on the 7th floor of the HealthPlex. Please give blood!

— Norman Chamber (@NORMANCHAMBER) May 21, 2013

OUneeds: DIAPERS, formula and bottles, toiletries, cell phone chargers, dog and cat food, board games for kids...

— Norman Chamber (@NORMANCHAMBER) May 21, 2013

new or clean good quality T-shirts, shorts, flip flops, underwear (new), kids clothing -shirts, shorts, underwear (new), shoes

— Norman Chamber (@NORMANCHAMBER) May 21, 2013

To help out with care for individuals, check out Sunbeam Family Services. Note - the email here is wrong - use tlong@cns.gov.

For animal rescue relief, check out the Moore Animal Shelter:

The Moore Animal Shelter will be setting up at the Cleveland CountyFairgrounds here in Norman.

— Norman Chamber (@NORMANCHAMBER) May 21, 2013

Oklahoma City Animal Welfare will accept animals from the affected areas of Moore and will coordinate with Moore Animal Shelter as needed.

— OKC Animal Welfare (@okcpets) May 20, 2013