Update from Calvary Assembly in Decatur

The Four-Point System

Shared by Pastor of Calvary Dream Center in Decatur, Alabama

My emotions are all over the place tonight. One minute I'm laughing the next I’m crying. Let me explain. It all started Sunday morning when Pastor George Sawyer preached a just in time message "Storm Shelters" and shared the desperate need for supplies for the tornado victims in North Alabama. I was amazed at the response. By the end of the two services we had a trailer full of supplies. The next day it was all gone. I began a journey trying to find food and supplies. Pastor Brad Sheats, of Life Church, called me and said he was going to have some supplies from Convoy of Hope in Cullman. After a few phone calls I was able to secure a large box truck from Jack Nelson at Ponderosa Furniture.

The journey begins. My friend Charlie and myself take off to Cullman. After arriving there we loaded what we could. I found out that Convoy of Hope was setting up at Garywood in Birmingham. We were off again. When we arrived in Birmingham I spoke to the Convoy of Hope rep there and explained to him that we desperately needed supplies in North Alabama. By the end of the day we have a huge box truck full of supplies. Just as my friend and I arrived back in Decatur I received a call from guess who? That’s right, Convoy of Hope. They wanted to set up in Decatur. It all started by giving away a little trailer of supplies. Today we were able to send supplies all over north Alabama. That brings joy to my heart. I heard the Lord say to me "because you sowed a little you have reaped a lot."

This afternoon for the first time I was able to take some supplies to an area in Hillsboro that was devastated by the tornados. The destruction was overwhelming. We would go from ruble to ruble to what use to be houses and offer water, toilet paper and any other supplies they might need. We drove up to one pile of rubble. A family was sitting under a pop up tarp. I offered them supplies and began a conversation. I asked the man that lived there whose car that was in the middle of the field. He said it was his and began to tell me his story. He said that the only thing that was left was the storm shelter that that he and his family were in when the storm hit. We gave the family the supplies they needed and gave the little girl several boxes of Little Debbie’s and were off to our next destination. As I was in church tonight I began to weep as it all was finally setting in. There is a family that is sleeping under a pop-up tarp tonight as will so many affected by the tornados and I will be sleeping in an air-conditioned house with plenty of food. So many of these families will not leave their homes because of fear of someone taking what little they have left.

Tina and I heard a man on the radio. He had lived on the coast and had survived several Hurricanes. He said if people will practice the four-point system we could get this done. That is helping the one in front of you, behind you and on each side of you.

I am asking for donations to purchase this family a FEMA trailer. I can buy one for $2000.00. Help me get this family a place to sleep out of the weather, if you can help please contact me.


God bless,
Pastor Danny
256-355-7440
http://calvaryassembly.com/

Psalm 9:9 - "The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble."

Photo: Church of the Highlands
http://www.churchofthehighlands.com/relief

Animals Lost & Found from Alabama Tornado - Facebook

Click Here: Animals Lost & Found from Alabama Tornado - Facebook

Tornado Relief Telethon: Hosted by Alabama's 13 & the United Way

Via: http://www2.alabamas13.com/special_section/tornado_relief/ 

WVTM Alabama’s 13 is spear-heading a nation-wide effort to raise funds for the “Tornado Relief” effort from 4:00 a.m. (Central) Wednesday, May 4th until  2:00 a.m. (Central) Thursday morning, May 5th.
Callers may designate donations go to the United Way in any state affected by the deadly April 27, 2011 tornadoes. They simply make their request known when they call in to the donation center.
There are several ways you can participate.

Wednesday May 4th ONLY:

Call 1-855-205-HELP (4357)

Anytime:

Text TORNADO to 50555 to donate $10.

Visit the United Way's website 

The mailing address to donate is:
UNITED WAY TORNADO RELIEF FUND,
P.O. Box 320189,
Birmingham, AL
35232

Convoy of Hope Donated Supplies to Calvary - They Need Help Distributing to Families

Convoy of Hope has blessed Calvary Assembly with a tractor trailer of water, power aid, toilet paper, little debbies, Bibles, trash bags and ice chest for disaster relief at no charge. They need your help getting it out to the disaster areas. Calvary will start loading trailers and vehicles at 10:00 am. You can also volunteer to help at 9:00am.

Address: 1413 Glenn Street, Decatur, Alabama
Contact: Danny Gibson
256-355-7440
http://calvaryassembly.org/

Update for Church of the Highlands Needs & Opportunities

 

Photos: http://www.churchofthehighlands.com/relief 

Current Needs and Opportunities of Church of the Highlands

Recent update

Items Needed

• Gatorade
• Juice (packaged)
• Care products (teeth care, deodorant, soaps...)
• Toilet paper and paper towels
• Diapers and wipes
• Blankets
• Baby food / formula
• Packaged food for distribution
• Storage bins / Containers
• Tarps
• Rakes
• Shovels
• Chainsaws
• Other large yard tools

Collection Point for Donation Items

Christian Service Mission [map]
Collection times: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
3600 3rd Avenue South
Birmingham, Alabama 35222

Service Opportunities

In the days to come, there will be more opportunities to serve the people affected by the storms. Because of the nature of our service opportunities, volunteers should be 12 years of age or older.

Christian Service Mission - Birmingham
Serving times: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm

• Loading / unloading of trucks
• Supply management / sorting
• Drivers for distribution

Scott School [map]
Serving times: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
1517 Hibernian Street
Birmingham, AL 35124

• Ministering to displaced residents
• Cooking food for residents

Hueytown [map]
Serving times: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
3075 Allison Bonnett Memorial Drive
Hueytown, AL 35023

• Assist in residential cleanup (chainsaws needed)
• Loading / unloading of supplies
• Delivering supplies to residents (trucks needed)
• Volunteers to hand out food

Tuscaloosa COTH is temporarily suspending operations in Tuscaloosa while they relocate to another location soon. Please check their website frequently for information about their next service location.
Follow @jimmybowers on Twitter for up-to-the-minute information from our Tuscaloosa effort.

Ongoing volunteer efforts will be coordinated through the Birmingham Dream Center.

Dream Center
5705 First Avenue North
Birmingham, Alabama 35212
Phone number: 205-591-1700

 

New Location for Toomer's for Tuscaloosa

Toomer's for Tuscaloosa

SHIPPING: If you are shipping (in the mail) things to Toomer's after Thursday here :

ATTN: TOOMER'S FOR TUSCALOOSA
5510 McFarland Blvd
Northport, AL 35476

Toomer's warehouse is the old Food Max.

Epic Church Volunteer Info

Volunteers -- be at Epic at 8 am. They will begin moving things from Epic to the new "Epic Store Front"...& will have teams going out to tarp houses, chainsaw and cleanup.
At 9:30am, they will need those of you with trucks to meet at Epic. Then will be going to Calvary to load up donated items to bring to Epic.

http://epicchurch.tv/
http://calvaryassembly.org/

Hot Shower & Laundry Facilities in Fort Payne

The Children's Place Distribution Center in Fort Payne has set up shower facilities in the parking lot for anyone that needs a hot shower. Washer and dryer units are also available for anyone needing to wash and dry clothes. The DC is located at 1377 Airport Road West, Fort Payne, AL 35968.

Volunteer Info for Gadsden and Etowah County

Marshall County United Way needs 200 towels & washclothes - Family Success Center (821 East Broad St, Gadsden) 256.547.6888 or Etowah Baptist Mission (215 Wall Street, Gadsden) 256.546.2980

Diapers go to the US SALVATION ARMY ASAP-114 11th Street 256.546.4673

RED CROSS-Plastic Rubbermaid Containers with Lids, People to operate phone lines (405 South 4th St, Gadsden) 256.547.8667

Non Perishables-ALL locations of JOHNSON’S GIANT FOODS, WALMART, FOOD WORLD, WIN DIXIE

Care Packs can be taken to most any church (Fords Valley Church in Hokes Bluff or Glencoe Baptist will be serving meals)

Bedtime Backpacks-BOY OR GIRL-include toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, pack of panties or underwear, stuffed animal & a book. Can be left with the nurses on the 2nd floor at Riverview Regional Medical Center, Gadsden.

Family Success Center is taking applications for in-person volunteer labor (dividing care packs, operating phones, separating donations (821 East Broad St, Gadsden) 256.547.6888

*****You may leave any of these donations at the Etowah County Tourism Board, 90 Walnut Street, Gadsden. M-F 9am-5pm*****


If you want more information on how you can help, call 211 or call The Etowah County Tourism Board at 256.549.0351!

TIDE Loads of Hope at University Mall in T-Town

TIDE Loads of Hope at the University Mall in Tuscaloosa, & will be there for ten days. GO GET YOUR CLOTHES WASHED!

Need Help for Animals?

If  you need animal assistance at a humane society or vet, please contact PETSMART. They have an EMERGENCY RELIEF TEAM. Call: 623-587-2840.

Epic Church Contact Info

Epic Church in Decatur needs your immediate help... They are purchasing trailers, campers, and vehicles for those who have lost everything in the recent tornados and are living in tents. These families have no where else to turn, mulitple generations have lost everything and do not have insurance. Please call the church office at 256. 584.7080 if you are interested in donating to this cause. Thank you for your support.

Contact Emily @ 256.457.9226

The church website is http://epicchurch.tv/.

Moulton Alabama Drop-Site Info

Fairhaven Church of Christ,  17111 Highway 257,  Moulton,  AL 35650  The contact name is Calvin Jones 256-345-8176.

The Moulton Church of Christ also has supplied a list of needs.   They are located at 597 Main Street,  Moulton,  AL 35650.  Their contact point is Andy White,  256-566-1868.

Their list of needs includes:

Shaving Cream
Shampoo
Small Hand Soap
Small Anti bacterial hand sanitizer
Band-aids
Tylenol / Ibuprofen
Antibacterial wipes
Clorox wipes
Buckets
Dish pans
Alcohol
Peroxide
Chap stick
Pacifiers
Gel Baby wash
Diapers especially larger sizes
Depends
Mouthwash
Sunscreen
Trash bags Kitchen Size and Lawn Size
All sizes of batteries
Canned Drinks

Info for Madison County Alabama

The Madison County Courthouse OPENS Tuesday.
Many Madison County Employees have been working in a effort to meet needs of citizens.

Non-jury court resumes Tuesday.
Jury trials have been canceled for the entire week of May 2. Those will be rescheduled.

The next Madison County Commission meeting is set for this Friday, May 6.

The Madison County TRAM (Transportation for Rural Areas of Madison County) buses will NOT run TUESDAY.

Household Garbage Collection - Please place container on cstreet on regularly scheduled day
Madison County Sanitation Department is collecting household garbage for both county residents and Madison City. City of Huntsville, as well.
PLEASE, all trucks are automated. Try to keep your garbage in the large container.
Crews are stopping and literally picking up extra bags. That is slowing down completion of routes so that all households can be serviced.
If you have more than what will fit in your container, there are special drop-off dumpsters at 107 Wholesale Avenue or in Madison at the city stadium.

Please continue to conserve both power and water. ALL Madison County water sources still running on generators. We hope to have some power to well later tonight.

ALS0 for those want to donate take usable items to 3223 Hi-Lo (Meridian Street, to Wholesale to Hi-LO-warehouse at end of block on your left)
GREAT need for paper products, paper towels, toilet tissue, plates, cups, napkins and toiletries.
NEW underwear or new clothes. (Too many people have cleaned out their closets with unusable clothing)
Churches with donation drop sites and businesses who may have over inventoried items are encouraged to bring their items to this central warehouse being used for collection, sorting and distribution.
Families in need can pick up items everyday from 8am to 6pm.
Items of donations can also be dropped off during those hours.
If you have any questions or needs call 211 for additional information.

If you want to volunteer or need debris removal in your yard from storm damage, contact United Way at 256-536-0745 from 9am to 3pm everyday.
The United Way realizes many families all over Madison County and Huntsville not necessarily in designated damaged areas, need assistance with removing downed trees from their yards and driveway.
Again, please call 256-536-0745 if you either need assistance or want to volunteer.
--
Missy Ming Smith, Director
Information and Community Relations
Madison County Commission
phone (256) 532-3438
Blackberry (256) 683-9240
fax (256) 532-3567
mmsmith@co.madison.al.us
http://www.co.madison.al.us/

Convoy of Hope & Life Church Info

Today, due to weather concerns, Life Church and Convoy of Hope distribution will be at Abundant Grace Church - Cullman, Alabama. The address is 708 9th St SE. They will be meeting at 8:30am. Everyone is welcome to come!

Donate Blood

Article from WHNT 19 News:

 

NORTH ALABAMA—

The deadly tornadoes that ripped through Alabama on April 27 have also had a severe impact on the state’s blood supply.  LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, the largest supplier of blood in Alabama, will continue to hold several drives to address the current shortage.
North Alabama has a critical need for all blood types, especially O-negative, the universal blood type.   There is also a great need for platelets, which help in clotting.  Trauma patients need them and cancer patients also use them.  Platelets only have a shelf life of five days, so Lifesouth needs a constant supply.

LifeSouth’s donor center at Huntsville Hospital, and the headquarters center on Bob Wallace Avenue in Huntsville, are both open. Huntsville Hospital's donor center will only take platelet donors by appointment.  Please call (256) 534-0599 to schedule a time.

LifeSouth's donor centers in Florence, at 205 Marengo Street, and in Sheffield at 1208 S. Jackson Highway, are also open. Most centers are open from 9am to 5pm.  You can also call 1-888-795-2707 for more information.

Convoy of Hope

Article and Photo by: Convoy for Hope
Read more at... http://www.convoyofhope.org

As Convoy of Hope volunteers loaded Stephanie’s car with food, water and hygiene supplies she wiped her eyes.
“Something told me to get my family to the park five miles from our house,” says Stephanie. “I did, and it saved our lives. Our house was demolished and my neighbor was killed. We’re staying at my aunt’s house and the electricity is out, but now I know my four kids will eat. Thank you so much,” Stephanie added.
Convoy of Hope workers, aided by more than 50 volunteers, set up the point of distribution just outside Birmingham early Friday morning. 
“Not everyone has vehicles as the tornadoes have destroyed them,” says Nick Wiersma, community services director for Convoy of Hope. “And many people do not want to leave what is left of their homes to get food. Instead, they want to sift through what’s left of their homes and protect their belongings.”
 
Throughout the day, more than 25 vans and trucks loaded with food, water and supplies fanned out to help people stranded in heavily damaged neighborhoods. 
Convoy of Hope will establish a second distribution site on Saturday morning in Tuscaloosa, Ala., where many people lost their homes and thousands remain without power.

Read more at... http://www.convoyofhope.org


*** You can also donate to Life Church in Alabama. They are teaming up with Convoy of Hope to help families in Cullman, Alabama. Click on following link to get involved: Life Church on Facebook. 

Life Church is meeting tomorrow, Monday, May 2nd, for Convoy of Hope at Walgreens on Hwy 31 in Cullman from 8:30am-til late.

To purchase a load for Convoy of Hope... It cost $6,000 to get a truckload of ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES that would normally cost $40,000. This is a great way to make your money multiply & help hurting families! For more info on how to give, email info@mylifechurch.org.

Heartfelt Story

To read this heartfelt story, please follow the link to the ABC 33/40 Weather Blog.

Kids' Backpack Drive

Riverview Regional Medical Center in Gadsden, AL is going to be hosting a bedtime backpack drive.

Choose boy or girl & collect following items: pjs, pack of underwear, hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, small stuffed animal, and a book.

The backpacks will be distributed to kids in shelters. 

Backpacks can be dropped off at the 2nd floor nurses station beginning Monday.

Address: 600 S 3rd St, Gadsden, Alabama

Lost Photos & Documents

So many items were scattered during the storm, and later found miles and miles away. I found a Facebook site that is posting some of the photos and documents that have been found. Click here: Pictures and Documents Found after Alabama Tornado of April 2011. If you find documents, please contact a local Alabama County Courthouse. They may be able to help.

How You Can Help the Tornado Victims in the South

Article By: Nick Carbone
{re-posted from: http://newsfeed.time.com/}

As residents begin the daunting task of cleanup after the storm destruction, here are some ways you can help from wherever you are.

More than 340 people have died as a result of violent storms and devastating tornadoes, and thousands of others have lost everything. Charities have offered an outpouring of support across the South. Here's how you can offer your help, as well.

 

United Way of West Alabama - DONATE
The boots on the ground in the devastated Tuscaloosa area, the United Way is accepting donations of all types that they will then distribute to the immediate victims. You can donate non-perishable food, clothes, tarps, and of course, cash, -- 100% of which, they say, will stay in the West Alabama area. Donate online or over the phone by calling 205-345-6640

The American Red Cross - DONATE
The Red Cross remains a leader in disaster relief, having opened more than 40 emergency shelters across the hardest-hit states. They've served more than 250,000 meals to those impacted by the twisters and distributed 22,000 items like clean-up supplies across the area. You can follow their progress on their blog and donate through their website or via text message by sending "REDCROSS" to 90999 to give $10.

 

Feeding America - DONATE

This hunger-relief charity has stepped up their mission to bring food and water into the affected towns. They work with local food banks to coordinate donations and distribute food. You can donate through Feeding America's website to bring ready-to-eat meals and clean water to people devastated by the storms.

 

Salvation Army - DONATE

Another steadfast relief leader, the Salvation Army has committed at least 10 mobile food trucks to the Alabama, Lousiana and Mississippi with another 22 that are on standby. You can keep up with the charity's progress on their blog and submit a donation online or by texting “GIVE” to 80888 to donate $10.

 

Convoy of Hope - DONATE

This outreach organization has donated more than 3,000 hours of service since last week, helping victims with cleanup and feeding them. They set up two distribution sites in western Alabama to give out food, water and supplies to those in need. They are accepting online donations to help further their mission in Alabama.

 

Serve Alabama - DONATE

This hyper-local initiative promotes community service and volunteerism throughout the state of Alabama and has served as a portal for information for those affected by the storms and tornadoes. Through their website they are taking donations of goods and money that will be put toward the Governor's Emergency Relief Fund.
Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/05/01/how-you-can-help-the-tornado-victims-in-the-south/#ixzz1L9RlJozO

New York Yankees Give $500,000 to Alabama Disaster Relief

From Bryan Hoch / MLB.com

NEW YORK -- The Yankees announced on Friday that they have donated $500,000 to support tornado-relief efforts in the southern U.S.

Of that total, half is going to the Salvation Army, the other half to the Red Cross.

Both organizations are working in the affected areas.

"On behalf of the entire New York Yankees organization, we would like to express our deepest condolences to all those affected by the devastating storms in Alabama and throughout the South," said Jennifer Steinbrenner Swindal, Yankees general partner and vice chairperson.

Other Organizations are also getting involved:

Donate and Drive 'DEGA - Talladega To Aid In Alabama Disaster Relief With $100,000 Commitment. Read More at Talladega Super Speedway.

Tide Loads of Hope is on the Way to Alabama

Need Clean Clothes After the Storm?

Date: Tuesday, May 3rd

Location: Bruno's Food and Pharmacy, 2001 McFarland Boulevard East, Tuscaloosa, AL 35404.

Website: http://tide.com/

Join with Calvary Assembly in Decatur, Alabama and Be "Jesus with Skin On"

ATTN ALL!!!!!
Anyone who wants to help communities in Alabama, starting Monday, May 2st - Calvary Assembly in Decatur, Alabama will dispatch teams in TWO locations::

Group #1: 8:00am MEN and GUYS meet at 1413 GLENN ST w/ chain saws, trailor beds, heavy duty equip, to go out to LAWRENCE COUNTY and do some major work!

Group #2: 8:30am at Morgan Co Chamber of Commerce (on 6th Ave) to go out into the communities to distribute goods w/ the RED CROSS.

THEN:: Starting tomorrow, Monday May 2nd, at the Calvary Assembly of God EPICENTER (located on Hwy 20 in Decatur, AL - between the Tennessee River Bridge and the I-65/565 junction). Meet NIGHTLY from 4:00-6:30. They will be serving HOT HOMEMADE MEALS to ANYONE who needs it! To anyone who is simply out of power and hasn't had a warm meal, or to those who've lost everything, and even to the volunteers!!! PLEASE help get the word out!!!

Laundry Drop-Off: 
They will also have a place you (anyone w/o power, or loss of home) can drop your dirty laundry off and they will have it washed, smelling good, and neatly folded for you to pick up 24 hrs later at the same place!!

ALL THIS IS FREE OF CHARGE!!

They need volunteers to help go into these communities that have been completely destroyed and some have not had any help or food yet! So many have lost children, parents, siblings, and some are still missing! Please join to help these people!

Calvary will also be distributing goods they have received already to these areas with the Red Cross.

"We can be JESUS with skin on! The sacrifice is so small but the impact is so enormous!"

"What we do IN THE STORM shows what we are TRULY made of!!" ~ Pastor George Sawyer: Calvary Assembly of God, Decatur, Alabama

Map of Drop-Sites in Alabama for Volunteers & Donations

Go to http://helpalabama.com/. You will find a map of several locations all over Alabama where volunteers can go to help or take donated items.

Toomers for Tuscaloosa

Find & "like" this group on Facebook at Toomers for Tuscaloosa. They are coordinating relief efforts & mobilizing people in several areas of Alabama. They were also featured on NBC, and you can read more here: The War Eagle Reader.

Photo by: Regan Jackson

Volunteerism (via: Huntsville Times)

{This is a recent article from the Huntsville Times on Volunteerism during the Tornado Disaster.}

Congressman Mo Brooks, who represents Alabama's Fifth District, spoke about surveying the damage areas by air. He and other elected leaders from north Alabama did this on Friday in two Blackhawk helicopters with staff from Redstone Arsenal.

"It's quite revealing when you see these main TVA transmission lines, when they're reduced to rubble," said Congressman Brooks.

He said Alabama will return to full strength but urged volunteers to step forward and help make that happen.

"If you're able to help, find people who have been damaged in these tornadoes, and assist with cleanup while we have this good weather," said Brooks. "If you're able to assist your friends and neighbors, please do so. If you have a chainsaw, please help."

If you'd like to help in the Harvest area, please go to the Monrovia Community Center. Staff will begin processing volunteers after lunchtime Saturday. The center is located at 254 Allen Drake Drive, Huntsville, AL 35806. The phone number is (256) 489-3366.

You can also go to First Baptist Church on Governors Drive in Huntsville.

You must be processed and have a valid ID to enter the damaged areas. There are many, many areas with damage, including Anderson Hills, Old Railroad Bed Road, Orville Smith Road, Smith Vasser Road, Lockhart Road, Yarbrough Road, Stovall Road, Stone Mill, Arnold Road, Carters Gin Road, Boll Weevil Road, Beaver Dam Road, Pulaski Pike and Welcome Home Village.

"Stay away, unless you have legitimate business there. Please this weekend, do not just drive in the area," urged Gillespie. "All that does is hinder those who are trying to help the victims."

Redstone Arsenal
Redstone Arsenal is open. Leaders stressed if you need assistance, and you're a member of the military, you can get on the Arsenal. They also urged workers, including contractors, to contact their companies if they have not already done so. The decision on whether Redstone Arsenal will be open on Monday will be made Sunday.

Donations - Cash Urged
The best way to donate is to give cash to the American Red Cross or the United Way. Your money will be used directly for tornado victims.

Rusty Russell, Director of the Madison County EMA, urged people not to take clothes or other goods to relief sites.

"All those items create another mission," said Russell. "Don't clean out your attic and bring your old clothes."

Russell encouraged people to call the Salvation Army if they would like to donate materials or goods. The phone number for the Salvation Army office in Huntsville is (256) 536-5576.

Garbage Collection
Gillespie said garbage collection for Huntsville and Madison County should resume on Monday.

Read more at http://huntsvilletimes.com/.

Life Church and Convoy of Hope Help Cullman Alabama

If you are looking for a place to send relief funds for Tornado Victims, Life Church is trying to raise money for truckloads from Convoy of Hope. These truckloads will help the residents of Cullman, AL who have been devastated by the tornadoes. Here is a link to a video of the devastation:

Tornado Disaster Video

The trucks cost $6,000 for a load that would normally cost $40,000. Many Churches are taking up offerings to send to Life Church to help get these truck here ASAP. If your Church can help, they would not only appreciate it, but will send you back reports and possibly videos of what your funds are going to do. Please go to http://mylifechurch.org/ if you or your Church can help! Thanks!