HandsonBirmingham.com

         This.

Hands on, Birmingham.

Additional source for ways to help all over Alabama on B-Metro. (and alphabetized!) 

How To Help Alabama

This is my attempt at providing information. It’s not going to be the best, the most organized or the most comprehensive. 

But please, please understand this:

This isn’t just a small area. These areas aren’t even remotely close to one another. These storms, these tornados and 200 mph winds have literally torn a gaping hole into Alabama.

That’s the entire width of the state… several times.

The dead aren’t being found in piles, or under mattresses (there’s nothing pretty about this), but rather insome of the most gruesome ways imaginable. What those winds and that power does to the fragility of a human body is one of those things that you never really, truly want to understand.

The strength of the human spirit, however, is something that can never be measured. 

This is how you can help. Please, follow instructions. Nothing is worse than people wanting to help, but getting in the way. Or needing diapers, but getting 1,000 onesies. Help. Just help.

Some needs resources here are ongoing, but some are immediate. I will update again soon.

• PLEASANT GROVE: SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER NEEDED FOR A DEAF RESIDENT. CONTACT RENEE @ 334-467-5067 source: al.com
• From the mayor of Vance
  
  Our Community Center is open and officially taking donations. We are asking for bottled water, gatorade type drinks, Pampers, Tarps, Seal-able containers, packages of new undergarments, small grills, charcoal, matches, flashlights, batteries, and any other such item like this. Thanks for your help. Via @spann (per Keith Mahaffey, Mayor-Town of Vance)
• 211 - This number is for those wishing to help in Alabama. They can tell you where and when and how. Just call.
• A HUGE list of ways to help can be found here on al.com
• Toomer’s for Tuscaloosa - A way for Auburn fans to lend a collective hand to Bama. We are not a house divided. 
• Sorority houses in Tuscaloosa taking donations: 
  AXO-Diapers, Alpha Gam - Clothes, AOPi - Toiletries, ZTA - Blankets/Towels, DZ - baby items
•  DESPERATE need for a wheelchair for a 38lb, 6yo special needs boy. Contact Jessica (205)3936068 (via @jlh134)
• Regions branches are accepting donations for the American Red Cross’ Tornado Disaster Relief Fund http://bit.ly/lRjs1h (via @BenjaminArgo)
• Need buckets and sunscreen IMMEDIATELY at Concord Baptist.#wearealabama (via twitter)
• Proms are coming up (I know this isn’t, you know, FOOD AND WATER, but normalcy has to come at some point and the only path to that is baby steps.) Prom Dresses for Tornado Victims FB page is here.
• Over 76k and growing in fan numbers, this page is setup for documentation of letters, pictures and other documents that have been scattered about the state. Click here to post, assist or be nosy.
• Via a FB friend FOR THE MONTGOMERY AREA: 
  “Come on out to the Tipping Point this Tuesday, May 3 starting at 5pm for an Alabama Tornado Relief effort to benefit the Red Cross. The Tipping Point will have live music by Zac Martin and two guest bartenders - donating their tips to the effort. I’ll be there with my Stella & Dot and I’m donating 25% of all sales to the American Red Cross. Start shopping. Start helping.”
• via @EatBHM “Hey Restaurants… “@the35212: Any #Bham restaurants want to provide food for dinner for volunteers tonight @CSMission?” 
• Via @VincentPD7503 “Clothing donations being accepted in front of Vincent High School for Shoal Creek tornado victims. Help appreciated. #wearealabama”
• Heads up Tuscaloosa. @TideLoadsofHope will be washing clothes for tornado victims Tues (5/3) at the Bruno’s on McFarland.
  
• Txt “FOOD” to 27722 to donate $10 to West #Alabama Food Bank
• U.A.B. Optometrists providing free limited time examshttp://bit.ly/j1dGrs
• Please text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to donate $10 for Alabamatornado relief effort.
• Let christian service mission @CSMission know ur needs they have trucks loaded &ready to deliver to ur area
• Awesome shirts with proceeds going to relief efforts from Maggie Crisler http://maggiecrisler.com/tornadorelief.html

Much more to come.

Oh, and prayers. Lots of them.