[1] 4-27-11 Tornado Tuscaloosa, Al from [2] Crimson Tide Productions on [3] Vimeo.

On April 27, 2011, Tuscaloosa, Alabama was hit by a mile-wide tornado and caused severe damage to the community with 36 fatalities and 600 injured.  Birmingham and other cities in Alabama were affected, as well.  I wanted to share some of the requests for assistance that I’ve encountered today, April 28th, on social media venues.   Natural disasters can be overwhelming for those effected and for those who want to help but don’t know how.  What can we do?  I’ll start this list and hope that readers provide updates.

1.  Donate time, blood and/or money to the Red Cross: [4] http://www.redcross.org/.  To find a Red Cross blood donation center near you call 1-800-Red-Cross or go online:[5] http://www.redcrossblood.org.

2.  LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, the largest supplier of blood in Alabama, is holding blood drives to address the current shortage.  LifeSouth also has donor centers in Mobile at 967 Hillcrest Road and in Daphne at 6451 Merritt Blvd.  Call toll-free (888) 795-2707 for more information and hours of operation at these locations.

3. A drop point is being set up to collect goods for those affected by the storms. Anything such as clothing, water, toys, diapers, canned food, etc that can be used by those in need can be brought to Flex Digital, 5330 Technology Lane, Birmingham, AL 35217

4.  URGENT REQUEST—Walker County Emergency Services would like to share the following:  Any EXPERIENCED chainsaw operators who have their own saws can meet at the Chattanooga Valley Baptist Church parking lot (90 Nick-A-Jack Lane, off of North Highway 341). There are Deputies on scene to direct volunteers.

5. MagicCitypost.com which is part of the Birmingham News has a detailed list like this one to offer assistance: [6] http://magiccitypost.com/2011/04/27/tornadoes-kill-dozens-across-alabama-now-is-the-time-to-help/

6. Facebook Group: Animals Lost & Found from the Tornadoes in Alabama, [7] http://www.facebook.com/ALTornadoAnimals?sk=wall

7. Natural Disaster Group on [8] TappedIn.org has an online discussion board for specific requests and members of TappedIn (TI) would like to offer assistance, contact BJ Berquist, at their help desk.

8. Convoy of Hope is a religious organization that is providing  food, water, ice chests and other essentials to the affected areas.  They need your donations: [9] http://ht.ly/4J1JT. They are highly organized.  “One of Convoy of Hope’s strengths is responding to disasters in the United States and around the world, because of our logistical expertise, partners and strong relationships with government agencies and local organizations we can get help to those who are suffering.”

9. Salvation Army: Cash donations to The Salvation Army allow disaster responders to immediately meet the specific needs of disaster survivors without incurring many of the costs associated with sorting, packing, transporting and distributing donated goods.  Salvation Army disaster services are funded entirely by donors, and the Salvation Army uses 100 percent of all disaster donations in support of disaster relief operations.

Credit Card Donations: [10] www.salvationarmyALM.org

Phone Donations: 1-800-SAL-ARMY         (1-800-725-2769)

Donations by Mail:  Please make checks payable to “The Salvation Army” and clearly marked “disaster relief” or labeled with the name of the disaster event you are supporting. Mail your gift to your local Salvation Army or to the nearest territorial headquarters:

The Salvation Army

Southern Territory

1424 Northeast Expressway

Atlanta, GA 30329-2088

10. University of Alabama Acts of Kindness Fund: From the UA President, Dr Witt: Many of you have asked for additional ways you can help. Contributions to the UA Acts of Kindness Fund will be used to help UA students, faculty and staff who need assistance as a result of storm damage.
[11] https://www.ua.edu/advancement/giving/donate/?division=2&account=349

11. University of Alabama-Birmingham  has a special tornado relief fund to assist faculty, staff and students with emergency needs. Donate online at [12] www.uab.edu/tornadorelieffund or by check to UAB Benevolent Fund, (specify tornado relief) Administration Building B-84, 1530 3rd Ave. South, Birmingham, AL 35294-0100.

12.  The nonprofit group, Alabama Possible, has an extensive list of ways to assist vicitims: [13] http://alabamapossible.org/2011/04/tornado-relief-how-you-can-help/

13. Facebook page to assist with returning lost photos to tornado victims: [14] http://www.facebook.com/PicturesandDocumentsfoundafterAprilTornadoes

These are but a few, please post comments for other services being provided to those affected.  On tonight’s news I heard about university students who lost their cap and gowns in the storm.  Graduation has been delayed till August.  Perhaps providing graduation caps and gowns might be another way to help.  As an alumnus of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and current resident of the state, I thank you!

Sincerely,

Sandra Rogers