After the Storm – How Can You Help?

As of Sunday, the death toll sits at more than 340 from the tornadoes and thunderstorms that tore through the South last Wednesday night and early Thursday. The National Weather Service estimated there were 266 tornadoes in the 24-hour period, a new record for a single storm system in modern times.

Several farms and ranches in our online community have been devastated by the recent tornadoes in the south. The PleasureHorse forum has brought some specific farms to light who are in dire need of donations.  As this community has always been quick to lend a hand, let’s do what we can for our friends in the industry and all of those who have suffered throughout this disaster.

We have been made aware of the following farms and ranches who are in need.  If anyone has knowledge of others, please let us know by submitting a comment at the end of this article, and we will publish an updated list.

5W Ranch

Marion Brakesfield

c/o 5W Ranch

685 EastAboga Rd.

Talladega, AL  35160

Ellis Family

David & Cheri Ellis

316 Old Parksville Rd

Cleveland, TN 37323

423.339.3636

Hughes Family

Kyle Hughes

c/o Hughes Camper Sales

19184 Lee Hwy

Abingdon, VA 24210

How Can You Help Other Victims?

The following disaster agencies are taking donations to help relief efforts and victims of these storms:

– American Red Cross: The Red Cross is providing relief to people across the hardest-hit states, providing shelter and relief to survivors. To support these efforts, donations can be made to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Visit Red Cross’s website, www.redcross.org, or call 1-800-RED-CROSS to make a donation. Checks can be sent to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013.

– Convoy of Hope: Convoy of Hope disaster response team members, aided by volunteers who have contributed more than 3,000 hours, are operating a distribution in Birmingham, Alabama. Two additional points of distribution were activated Saturday, April 30, 2011 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, including a site at a Baptist church on the University of Alabama campus. Convoy of Hope distribution sites will provide food, water and supplies to those affected by the disaster. So far, over 1 million pounds of product have been provided or slated for delivery to the affected areas. To learn more about their work and how you can support their efforts, visit their website.

– Salvation Army: The Salvation Army has provided food, hydration and other services to more than 6,000 survivors and first responders in the southeastern United States since the April tornadoes. The Army will continue to do so in the hardest hit cities, including Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, AL; Cleveland and Chattanooga, TN; Kemper County, Webster County, and Oxford, MS and others. To support the challenges facing survivors, The Salvation Army’s Florida Division deployed 10 mobile canteens and a team of 30 volunteers and staff to assist in the relief efforts in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham.

You can donate to the Salvation Army by going to their website, disaster.salvationarmyusa.org, or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Text “GIVE” to 80888 to make a $10 donation to assist the organization’s disaster response efforts. Or send a check to: The Salvation Army Disaster Relief, P.O. Box 100339, Atlanta, GA 30384-0339.

– World Vision: World Vision’s domestic relief team is preparing to deploy this Saturday morning from the Dallas area to Alabama and nearby states hardest-hit by last night’s storms. They plan to work with local churches and other organizations to identify families with limited means, families left destitute, or people who may have difficulty accessing other assistance. To support these efforts, visit www.worldvision.org to donate to call 888.56.CHILD (24453).

ALABAMA
Governor’s Emergency Relief Fund: The Fund, part of the Alabama Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, provides additional recovery assistance to Alabama residents who have exhausted all other coverage provided by relief organizations, government programs and insurance. To donate, visit their online donation page.

If we missed a way to help, please let us know in the reply section below.