Posted 11/19/2024

For immediate release:

Nov. 19, 2024

For more information, contact:

Randy Schmitt, NDSA president: (701) 537-3440 • schmittranch@hotmail.com

Jason Leiseth, NDSF president: 701-586-3714 • jpleiseth@gmail.com

Julie Ellingson, NDSA executive vice president: (701) 223-2522 • jellingson@ndstockmen.org

Elizabeth Hasenwinkel, NDSA communications director: (701) 833-1162 • ehasenwinkel@ndstockmen.org

Charlsey Wolfe, ONEOK: (918) 510-1664

ONEOK Foundation donates $100,000 to Wildfire Disaster Relief Program

North Dakota wildfire devastates approximately 126,000 acres, ONEOK Foundation contributes to relief for impacted cattle producers 

The ONEOK Foundation donated $100,000 to the North Dakota Stockmen's Association (NDSA) and North Dakota Stockmen's Foundation (NDSF)'s Out of the Ashes Wildfire Disaster Relief Program. The relief fund, established to provide vital assistance and offset losses for impacted cattle producers following the historic North Dakota wildfires, has now reached $723,114.56 with the latest contribution.

In early October, extreme weather conditions contributed to the spread of multiple wildfires across North Dakota. The catastrophic fires burned approximately 126,000 acres. 

"This relief program will provide financial support for cattle producers who have lost pasture, hay, fencing, building structures and livestock," said NDSA Executive Vice President Julie Ellingson. "These contributions offer hope as those who were impacted begin the long rebuilding process."

Several first responders and volunteer firefighters, including many ONEOK employees, played a crucial role in protecting communities during the wildfires.

"We're honored to help support our neighboring ranchers and landowners who faced devastating losses," said Pierce H. Norton II, president and chief executive officer of ONEOK and chairman of the ONEOK Foundation Board of Directors. "The courage and commitment of the first responders, volunteers and employees who selflessly faced personal danger to protect our community demonstrated our Core Value of Service. I want to personally thank them for their efforts."

Out of the Ashes Wildfire Disaster Relief Program contributions have been critical to provide relief and facilitate early recovery efforts.

"ONEOK's significant contribution bolsters the relief effort and will go a long way in providing needed support to those in need," said Ellingson.

Organizations and individuals looking to contribute to the Out of the Ashes Wildfire Disaster Relief Program can make donations directly through the NDSF. Every contribution, regardless of size, will help provide critical support to those affected by the wildfires. For more information on how to donate or apply for relief, visit www.ndstockmen.org or call (701) 223-2522.

At ONEOK (NYSE: OKE), we deliver energy products and services vital to an advancing world. We are a leading midstream operator that provides gathering, processing, fractionation, transportation and storage services. Through our more than 50,000-mile pipeline network, we transport the natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), refined products and crude oil that help meet domestic and international energy demand, contribute to energy security and provide safe, reliable and responsible energy solutions needed today and into the future. As one of the largest diversified energy infrastructure companies in North America, ONEOK is delivering energy that makes a difference in the lives of people in the U.S. and around the world. 

As of Oct. 15, 2025, ONEOK is the managing member of EnLink Midstream, LLC (NYSE: ENLC) (EnLink) and owns 43 percent of EnLink's outstanding common units. EnLink provides integrated midstream infrastructure services for natural gas, crude oil and NGLS.

ONEOK is an S&P company headquartered in Tulsa, Okla.

The NDSF is a 501(c)3 charitable organization, so gifts can be deducted as charitable contributions for income tax purposes. For more information about the Out of the Ashes Wildfire Disaster Relief Program or other ways to help, call (701) 223-2522 or visit www.ndstockmen.org. 

The NDSA is a 95-year-old beef cattle producers’ trade organization that works to unite, protect, promote, educate and serve the state’s beef industry. The NDSF is a charitable organization that supports the beef industry with scholarship, leadership, promotion, research and building projects and disaster relief. Together, the organizations have distributed more than three-quarters of a million dollars in direct aid to cattle producers recovering from catastrophic floods, blizzards and wildfires since 2009. 

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