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!