<p>Hey y’all, I hope everyone is safe and sound, and up here in New England we’re all praying for those who have been affected by this devastating storm. As a student who will be attending Bama next fall as a freshman, I have been moved by the news coming out of Tuscaloosa and I am seeking a way to help in any way possible. I want to set up some kind of donation drive at my Catholic school here in Connecticut…which fund or organization do you all recommend sending donations to? I’ve heard the Red Cross isn’t an ideal choice since it’s such a broad organization and only a fraction of the money you send will actually be utilized in Alabama…</p>
<p>This is a link to the mid-Alabama chapter of the Red Cross where you can actually designate which county you want your money to go to… </p>
<p><a href=“https://chapterneighborhood.wufoo.com/forms/online-donations-midalabama-chapter/[/url]”>https://chapterneighborhood.wufoo.com/forms/online-donations-midalabama-chapter/</a></p>
<p>Thank you for posting this; I’m also in Connecticut, and would like to do something similar, so I’ll see what people have to say.</p>
<p>I chose to donate to Salvation Army because you can specifically designate that you want the donation to go to tornado relief. I had the same concerns about Red Cross; even if you donate specifically to the Red Cross in that county, it’s still going to that branch, and not necessarily specifically to help with tornado aftermath (although we can presume that’s what they’re spending a good portion of their funds on).</p>
<p>oops…that doesn’t include tuscaloosa county…sorry!</p>
<p>Rtr, you mentioned you might raise money through your catholic school? Maybe you can contact someone in the parish in Tuscaloosa? I’m sure there will be many faith based organizations assisting including the local churches, synagogues, etc that were not hit by the storm. Maybe getting the funds to them may get the money to those in need quickly. Just an idea. Good luck.</p>
<p>[Legislative</a> Barbie: Tuscaloosa Tornado Relief Efforts](<a href=“http://legislativebarbie.blogspot.com/2011/04/tuscaloosa-tornado-relief-efforts.html]Legislative”>Legislative Barbie: Tuscaloosa Tornado Relief Efforts)</p>
<p>Quick clarification- it is true that the Red Cross doesn’t have a current specific disaster fund for this Tornado. I highly recommend donating specifically to a local chapter. The money will be supporting that community, and the ongoing needs. The Red Cross is already on the ground (sheltered over 2,000 people last night), feeding people, and providing mental health support. They are recruiting current Red Cross volunteer across the country (over 150 at the moment), as well as using the many local volunteers. While the money donated toward a local chapter may help support aspects other than the specific disaster you are watching right now, it will still be used for the community. For example, the money may be used to replace cots or add new ones for future disasters. Not directly related to this tornado, but still desperately needed, especially when the chapter is currently using all of its resources helping those around them- those supplies get depleted during things like that.</p>
<p>Just saw that the UA Chancellor sent out a note and included info about making contributions to the UA Acts of Kindness Fund:</p>
<p>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. The University will continue to provide resources as additional needs become known. </p>
<p>UA Acts of Kindness Fund:
<a href=“https://www.ua.edu/advancement/giving/donate/?division=2&account=349[/url]”>https://www.ua.edu/advancement/giving/donate/?division=2&account=349</a></p>
<p>Does anyone know whether Saint Francis Church (on the UA campus) is coordinating any relief efforts? I managed to find some tees and stuff at the employee store today (although pickin’s were slimmer than I’d hoped…lots of smallish women’s tees but not too many men’s tees). I’ve heard that clothing donations should be sent to churches rather than to the Red Cross. (Red Cross can better use cash rather than clothing.) Have y’all heard the same thing?</p>
<p>My employer is making a large apparel donation, but I have no idea how that is being coordinated.</p>
<p>Saint Francis should be accepting donations by Monday.</p>
<p>Thank you so much, robotbldmom!</p>
<p>Here’s a list of places that are accepting donated items according to the Tuscaloosa News. </p>
<p>[Want</a> to help? | TuscaloosaNews.com](<a href=“http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20110428/NEWS/110429644/1007/news?Title=Want-to-help-]Want”>http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20110428/NEWS/110429644/1007/news?Title=Want-to-help-)</p>