Please Don't Forget

I know there is a lot going on in your life right now.  There is a lot going on in the world.  Big floods.  Bombs falling in Libya.  Crazy high gas prices. 

An E-F 4 tornado bearing down on Tuscaloosa.

But please don't forget about the tornado victims in Alabama and across the southeast.  259 tornadoes were reported in 16 states on one day.  238 people in Alabama alone lost there lives.

Tornado damage in Tuscaloosa.  That's a Hobby Lobby in the background.  A BBQ restaurant and a fast food restaurant (or what is left) is the front.

Please don't forget them.  News coverage has drifted away and volunteer and donation levels are dropping off.  Please don't stop sending donations and praying for those who were affected.  They need your help.

Horrifying tornado damage.

Luckily, despite the total lack of news coverage, there are so many people who haven't forgotten about the tornado victims.

Sarah Wendall from Smart Bitches, Trashy Books (who is so full of awesome it isn't even funny) has organized a list of needed supplies and names and address of volunteers in Alabama willing to accept them and take them to be donated.  I am one of those volunteers and I got my first two shipments yesterday and today.

What's in the boxes??

Feminine hygiene supplies! Not pictured: ladies underwear.

A picture from another volunteer.  Readers of SBTB FTW!!

So this is just a friend reminder to please do something.  Give blood.  Give money.  Send supplies.  Send prayers.  SOMETHING.  These areas are devastated and will continue to need help for a long time.  

So please don't forget.

Alabama Tornado Relief

Osama bin Laden may be dead, but so are 240 Alabamians. 

It's been one week since disaster struck in the form of 197 devastating tornadoes.  80 people are still unaccounted for in the Tuscaloosa area alone.  The government is estimating the financial impact of the storms will equal or exceed Hurricane Katrina. 

In short, it was a disaster AND it's still a disaster.  And my state needs your help. 

How can you help?

The best way to help is in the form of monetary donations.  Long after the initial rush of supplies fades, money is still going to be needed to help victims heal and recover.  Some of the best places to give money:

Mid Alabama Region of The American Red Cross - the Red Cross is serving meals, hosting shelters, providing medical care, and passing out much-needed supplies.  Red Cross support in Tuscaloosa.

United Way - United Way supports organizations like the Red Cross and the Salvation Army as well as runs local volunteer organizations.  They are hosting a telethon today, collection supplies, and have a phone bank open to support those in need. United Way assistance in West Alabama.

UA Greek Relief - While there may be lots of criticism of the Greek system, one thing can not be overlooked: their ability to come together and help others.  Philanthropy is a cornerstone of the Greek system and never has that been more evident that at The University of Alabama in the past week.  Fraternity and sorority members have been cooking and serving meals, assisting with cleanup, coordinating donations, and delivering supplies around Tuscaloosa.  They are now turning their attention to fundraising for the city of Tuscaloosa.

UA Acts of Kindness Fund - 6 students at The University of Alabama lost their lives during the storm.  The Acts of Kindness fund will be used to financially support employees and students who were victims of the storm. 

Other ways to help:
Give blood
Ask for your blood to go to victims of the Alabama tornadoes. 


Donate supplies
-The Christian Service Mission in Birmingham has set up an Amazon wish list page that will allow you to purchase and ship much-needed to supplies to impacted areas. 
-Follow James Spann on Twitter or on Facebook for up-to-the-minute needs around the state. 
-Check out this post from Sarah Wendell of Smart Bitches, Trashy Books fame.  She is coordinating mail drop locations for out-of-state folks to mail supplies to Alabama.  Mail drop volunteers (myself included) will be collecting the donations and taking them to distribution areas.  Sarah has provided a list of donation sources and needed supplies. 

Observe a moment of silence today at 5:13 PM CST. 

We will get through this, but can only succeed with your help.  Please consider donating in some way.

"Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD" Pslam 31:24.

Devestation and Heartbreak

Many of you are aware that I live in Alabama and I received several tweets and an even an email from concerned readers inquiring about my safety.  I thank you so much for your kind thoughts and I assure everyone that I am okay.  The major storms in my area were south and north of me and I only had some minor wind damage (limbs down, shingles missing) from some straight-line winds that came through yesterday morning.

I wish I could say the same for the rest of my state.

This is a picture of a community about 20 minutes north of my house.

 

I have mentioned before that I attended library school (and undergrad) at The University of Alabama which is located in Tuscaloosa.  Tuscaloosa was one of the hardest hit areas and at least 15 deaths have been confirmed.  We knew it was going to be bad when we saw the actual tornado barreling down on the town that I spent 6 years in. 

I don't think anyone could have imagined such destruction and such devastation.  This picture was taken on one of the main highways in Tuscaloosa and is about a block from where I used to live.  

My heart is breaking for my friends who lost their homes, cars, and so much of their lives.  The damage from this storm is unbelievable and so sad.  I hope you will join me in praying for those that have been affected by this powerful storm.

If you would like to help, the best thing to do is to donate to The Red Cross.  You can do that by texting "REDCROSS" to 90999 to make a $10 general donation or you can visit this site to donate money directly to the Birmingham chapter of the American Red Cross. 

If you would like to see more pictures of the devastation from around the state of Alabama, the Flikr stream set up by The Crimson White, The University of Alabama's student paper, and The Alabama Weather Blog have some great (and horrible) shots.