National Football League

Chiefs donating $35K to tornado victims

Published May. 23, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The NFL's Kansas City Chiefs announced Monday they will be donating $35,000 to disaster-relief efforts in Joplin, Mo., and Reading, Kan., after they were devastated by tornadoes over the weekend.

The death toll in Joplin stands at 116, making it the deadliest US tornado in nearly six decades, and there are fears it could rise higher, with more than 2,000 buildings destroyed and roughly a third of the city damaged.

One person died in the Reading tornado, with an estimated $2.3 million worth of damage caused to residential and commercial property, the Kansas City Star reported.

"The Chiefs Kingdom has been greatly affected by the tornadoes in Joplin and Reading. Our hearts and prayers go out to the people affected by these disasters," Chiefs President Mark Donovan said in a statement.

The team will be working with various media partners and the Salvation Army to hold a bottled-water drive at Arrowhead Stadium on Tuesday and Wednesday, and will also be accepting financial donations.

"We were informed that bottled water is the most pressing need at this point," Donovan said.

"Our hope is that our efforts will assist in meeting the immediate needs of those impacted. Our entire organization stands ready to help in the days and months ahead."