Donate Blood

Due to the high number of injuries in the area, blood donations are one of the best ways to help. According to UA, you can donate blood at any Red Cross location and designate it for Tuscaloosa.

American Red Cross blood donation site

UA Bands Accepting Donations

Both monetary and material donations can also be sent to the following address:

University of Alabama Bands
810 2nd Ave
Moody Music Building Room 211
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487

Information from James Spann and the Crimson White

James Spann, a well-known meteorologist of ABC 33/40, has posted some relief information on his weather blog at alabamawx.com.

James Spann has also posted a Facebook status where comments are being left regarding specific relief efforts.

The Crimson White (UA's paper) has posted a similar Facebook status.

More Information and Websites

I recently received an e-mail with a wealth of information, which I will attempt to summarize succinctly:

• Tuscaloosa.com - Go here to register as a survivor, look for survivors, find volunteer information, and similar information from the City of Tuscaloosa

Housing

• People in need of housing should call 2-1-1, United Way's Information & Referral Service, for information on low-cost housing options in West Alabama.
• ClassTides.com is publishing daily lists of low-cost housing
• People who have lost homes can call 1-800-621-3362 to report the loss

Places accepting donations:

• United Way of West Alabama
• Boy Scouts on Jack Warner Parkway
• Temporary Emergency Services (Need water & baby supplies)
• Salvation Army in Northport
• Leland Shopping Center (2601 University Blvd.)
• Fire Logistics Building in front of Bruno's on McFarland
• T-Town PAWS
• Metro and the Humane Society
• Black Warrior Council off Jack Warner Pkwy.

Donation needs:

• Ready-to-eat and non-perishable food
• Tarps for covering roofs
• Clothing (including new underwear, socks, new/very gently used tennis shoes)
• Newborn and baby items (including diapers, formula, wipes)

Tuscaloosa County Spontaneous Volunteer Management Team will host the Volunteer Reception Center 

• Where: St. Matthias Episcopal Church at 2310 Skyland Blvd. East in Tuscaloosa
• When: Saturday, April 30th from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• ALL who want to volunteer should report here, sign up, and find out about needs. Some volunteers will be placed immediately; some will be contacted later.

To people not from the area: Local law enforcement are asking for individuals from outside West Alabama to not come the area for approximately 72 hours due to road conditions. Please contact 2-1-1 if you have non-monetary donations for West Alabama for instructions on getting these donations to the area. Monetary donations are greatly appreciated.

Tornado Relief Telethon

ABC 33/40 will host a telethon from 5-8 p.m. CDT. There is an online stream that can be accessed by people outside the viewing area.

ABC 33/40 Live Stream

Pertinent Tweets

Follow @tuscaloosacity on Twitter for frequent updates on the situation in Tuscaloosa.

@tuscaloosacity Twitter Feed

Monetary Donations

There are several ways to give monetary donations to Alabama tornado relief. The following are just a few:

• Red Cross - visit the website or text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10
• Toomer's for Tuscaloosa - a Red Cross donation website set up by Auburn fans
• UA Acts of Kindness fund - set up specifically to benefit affected UA students, faculty, and staff

Donations can be mailed to:

American Red Cross

1100 Veterans Memorial Parkway

Tuscaloosa, AL 35404

United Way of West Alabama

2720 6th Street

Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

Facebook Groups and Pages

The following are Facebook groups and pages that relate to Alabama tornado relief:

• Tuscaloosa Tornado: What you can do
• Rebuild Tuscaloosa
• Toomer's for Tuscaloosa
• Pray for the Tornado Victims of April 27, 2011

Excellent List of Ways to Help

Alabama Possible has created a site with a list of ways to help in Alabama. It is being updated regularly and includes resources across the state: Tornado relief: How you can help

Governor of Alabama's Site

IF you are thinking about traveling into Tuscaloosa from outside the city, be sure you come prepared to take care of yourself. Do not count on a relief agency to take care of you, because you likely will not receive the help. Take food, water, gas and anything else you might need, including tools.

Governor's Relief Website

Great Comprehensive Site with ways to Help

The following website is a great listing of ways to help all over Alabama. It's constantly being updated.

AL.com

To Volunteer

I plan to add to this as I get more info. (I am Mormon, so I know of the LDS groups getting together. If you have info, please post a comment!!!)

There are two LDS groups meeting tomorrow:

Tuscaloosa Ward (Congregation): Meeting Friday, April 28th at the Winn Dixie at 5 points (by VA Med Center).
Address: 4205 UNIVERSITY BLVD EAST Tuscaloosa, AL

Northport Ward: Meeting Friday, April 29th at the LDS Chapel.
Address: 2015 Academy Drive, Tuscaloosa, AL (some GPS's may show 2015 3rd Avenue North)

Extent of the damage

 

Why is there a need for help? Well...watch this video.

How to Help!!!

I am hoping to use this to help people all over the country and within Alabama itself to get good, honest help to those who were effected by yesterdays storms. If you have information on LEGIT organizations who are meeting up to go out and help or places to donate, etc., feel free to comment.