Beginning: How to Help the Rebuilding Efforts in Alabama

Last week a horrifying set of tornadoes ripped through Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and Arkansas. The pictures devastating, to say nothing of the stories behind those images. There were a lot of resources available for other recent natural disasters so that all of us not effected knew how and where to lend a helping hand and our dollars. I’ve seen surprisingly few for this latest disaster, and decided to share what I’ve been learning. Here’s how you can help:

– American Red Cross: The Red Cross is providing relief to people across the hardest-hit states, providing shelter and relief to survivors. To support these efforts, donations can be made to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Visit Red Cross’s website, www.redcross.org, or call 1-800-RED-CROSS to make a donation. Checks can be sent to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013.

– Convoy of Hope: Convoy of Hope disaster response team members, aided by volunteers who have contributed more than 3,000 hours, are operating a distribution in Birmingham, Alabama. Two additional points of distribution were activated Saturday, April 30, 2011 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, including a site at a Baptist church on the University of Alabama campus. Convoy of Hope distribution sites will provide food, water and supplies to those affected by the disaster. So far, over 1 million pounds of product have been provided or slated for delivery to the affected areas. To learn more about their work and how you can support their efforts, visit their website.

– Salvation Army: The Salvation Army has provided food, hydration and other services to more than 6,000 survivors and first responders in the southeastern United States since the April tornadoes. The Army will continue to do so in the hardest hit cities, including Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, AL; Cleveland and Chattanooga, TN; Kemper County, Webster County, and Oxford, MS and others. To support the challenges facing survivors, The Salvation Army’s Florida Division deployed 10 mobile canteens and a team of 30 volunteers and staff to assist in the relief efforts in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham.

You can donate to the Salvation Army by going to their website, disaster.salvationarmyusa.org, or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Text “GIVE” to 80888 to make a $10 donation to assist the organization’s disaster response efforts. Or send a check to: The Salvation Army Disaster Relief, P.O. Box 100339, Atlanta, GA 30384-0339.

– World Vision: World Vision’s domestic relief team is preparing to deploy this Saturday morning from the Dallas area to Alabama and nearby states hardest-hit by last night’s storms. They plan to work with local churches and other organizations to identify families with limited means, families left destitute, or people who may have difficulty accessing other assistance. To support these efforts, visit www.worldvision.org to donate to call 888.56.CHILD (24453).

Alabama Governor’s Emergency Relief Fund: The Fund, part of the Alabama Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, provides additional recovery assistance to Alabama residents who have exhausted all other coverage provided by relief organizations, government programs and insurance. To donate, visit their online donation page.

Roll Tide Relief
My friend, Preston, sent me a link to this site that was sent out by the University Alabama and a link to donate to the UA Acts of Kindness fund that helps out students affected by the tornado.

Tzu Chi Foundation
MJ, an active and generous reader of this blog, sent me this link. Tzu Chi Foundation for Compassion and Relief helps victims of natural disaster all over the world in addition to their work within the U.S.
http://www.us.tzuchi.org/usa/home.nsf/home/index?OpenDocument

Do you know of other ways we can help? If so, please leave a note in the comments section. Thanks!