ALABAMA – When I started a Facebook page to organize volunteers after the April 27th tornados in Alabama I had no idea how much my life would change in just one month. I have been privileged to witness an unprecedented response to an unprecedented disaster in Alabama. People banded together within hours of the storms and set up multiple warehouses throughout the southeastern United States and got supplies to rural areas that otherwise would have had no help.

I have since co-founded Our States United and partnered with stormHOPE.org. We have worked with wonderful groups like North Alabama Disaster Relief and the team of Tiffany, Melody, and Harriette. Working together we have helped speed along the completion of The Flat Rock Community Center- an organization that will be responsible for the recovery of hundreds of rural families living at or below the poverty line.  We worked with N.A.D.R. and helped secure supplies for Hackleburg and the official groups working there. Deliveries have been going out to that community several time a week. The relief groups in Marion County also sent an 18 wheeler to the midwest with needed supplies. Together we have grown from helping communities Alabama help each other to states helping states. Billy of “Colorado for Alabama” delivered supplies to Oklahoma and Alabama for us as an affiliate of Our States United.

That being said- the help we are getting to the rural areas would be nothing without the support of good people everywhere. Wonderful individuals have stepped up to make sure complete stranger’s needs are being met. In visiting every area affected we have witnessed firsthand the recovery in Alabama. While the initial effort was unbelievable we are now seeing the interest wane in Alabama as it always does in the weeks after a disaster. Small organizations are still struggling in rural areas and the media isn’t rushing to tell their story.

That’s where stormHOPE.org is trying to make a difference. They have filmed many recovery and survivor stories while we endeavor to keep the spotlight on them by reporting what we are seeing on the ground and helping organizations connect and share resources.

The bottom line is this- we must rally behind these small organizations that will be in the recovery the entire time. The numerous ones we are dealing with do not receive money from the Red Cross or other groups in Alabama taking up money. These organizations are persevering but having to spend their own money.

Our mission is not to raise money but we will point you to groups that are doing great things for the survivors so that you can contact them and help them meet their needs in order to see the recovery through in their area. This strategy has already sped along completion of projects in some of the hardest hit areas. Connecting people and resources is the fastest way to help the people who need it!

See the links at the top of the page under the heading “How to give” and know this marathon has just left the starting line. Reins of Life and Hackleburg Helping Hands are working to rebuild homes and lives in Hackleburg. The Flat Rock Community Center will serve hundreds of families in Jackson and Dekalb Counties.We will add others to the list as we continue to find organizations with needs. We have added a page for Oklahoma and where you can offer assistance there as well.

Thank you for your support of these wonderful people.