David Courington
Good Article from 6th Ave COC bulletin in Jasper

HOW CAN YOU CONTINUE TO HELP?

In our article from last week, I tried to make known some opportunities to help storm victims in our area. The situation around us is constantly in flux, and many of the needs change from day to day. Information is being updated regularly, and we wish to pass along this information as it is made known to us. The greatest needs in most of the areas we have visited or have spoken with contacts in these areas is manpower to help clean up debris, cut trees, etc. There is much help still needed in Cordova, Argo, Sipsey, Cullman, Hackelburg, Phil Campbell, Tuscaloosa, Alberta, Holt, Pleasant Grove, Pratt City, and Smithville. Volunteers have been going out to some of these areas from here (primarily to Cordova, Sipsey, and Tuscaloosa). It is our intention to put together groups of volunteers to go to Hackelburg and Pratt City in the coming days. If you can volunteer your time and labor, it would be much appreciated.
In regard to items that are needed, most of the areas we have been in contact with have plenty of bottled water and clothing. These items will be needed in the long term, but as of now, most places are inundated with these items. If you would like to donate clothing for the storm victims, please bring those to our Outreach Center where we can store them and send them on at a later date as these areas request them.
Monetary donations, baby supplies, basic toiletry items, undergarments, and cleaning supplies top the list in almost every location. We will collect these at the church building and church office and distribute them to needy areas. Take the time to buy up a few extra things on your trip to the grocery store this week.
The congregation here has a wonderful opportunity this coming Sunday to open up our hearts and our wallets to help alleviate the needs of our brethren and friends who are hurting. The elders will be taking a special collection on Sunday morning solely for disaster relief efforts. Please take the time to pray about what you can do from a financial standpoint to help storm victims around us, and then come ready to give on the 15th. This collection will be taken in addition to our regular weekly contribution. Make sure to note in the memo line of your check that this is for “disaster relief.”
I also want to add another congregation to the list of those who
are accepting monetary donations and supplies. The Sandusky Church of Christ in Birmingham is focusing their efforts on the Pratt City/Smithville areas that were so devastated by the tornadoes. If you would like to contribute to the relief efforts for that area, please send donations and/or supplies to Sandusky Church of Christ (1140 Pratt Highway, Birmingham, AL 35214). This congregation is going out into Pratt City and Smithville on a daily basis, and can use any volunteers to help in clean-up efforts. I am sure there are many other congregations that are serving as distribution centers and points of contact for the storm-ravaged areas, and I will do my best to make these known to you as I hear of them.
Realize that these efforts will be long-term in so many areas. As media coverage fades, many will cease volunteering. Let us stay the course and look to help for the long haul! Above all, please pray for all who have been touched by the recent devastation. God can and will do great things through His people!

Patrick Morrison on Monday (5/16/2011)

From: David Courington, Minister, Sylvan Springs Church of Christ
Dear brethren,
Thanks for your interest in the people in the Birmingham(Pleasant Grove, Pratt City, Etc.) area affected by the tornado. We had several members hit but thankfully, not injured or killed. In Pleasant Grove alone there are about 4,500 people affected. We are working to help supply the needs of people in the area in cooperation with many other area congregations.
While the immediate need for water, food, etc. appears to be tended to, there will be many more immediate and long term needs for assistance of various types. The main need is money, that we can use to personally assist those in need. For example, we just sent out a $300 check for a family for school uniforms and tennis shoes. We can easily buy those locally. If you sent us 20 cases of these items, it would add to the task of finding places to put them, plus, we might not have the right size. And the next person to come in might need something totally different.
If you wish to send money, it can be sent to
Sylvan Springs Church of Christ
Attn.- Disaster Relief
5445 Birmingport Road
Sylvan Springs, Al 35118
Phone- (205)-497-8855
If you wish to send other items, we will take them and distribute them as we are able. Please call before bringing large items or amounts to see if we have a place to put it. (No used clothing at this time please.) We will also need workers to staff our efforts and there will be ongoing needs that I will try to keep you informed about. Thanks for your interest and your continued prayers
Sincerely,
David Courington

David Courington
Work is progressing at Sylvan Springs (Call 205-497-8855). We now have some more storage space. We have about 30 twin matresses if you know someone who needs them. Also shovels, food, a new stove, many other supplies.

Karen Ricks Hogeland
Decatur Highway Church of Christ in Gardendale will be traveling to Hackleburg on Saturday (5/7). They will leave the building at 6:30 am sharp. Anyone wishing to go along, please meet at the building shortly before departure time or call the building at 631-7000 for more information. Decatur Highway is also a drop off point for supplies or monetary donations that can be made in Gardendale.

David Courington
At Sylvan Springs we have an over supply of water and plastic cups if some of the other areas need them, also some tarps.
Call 205-497-8855

Daniel Courington
We are going to staff the Sylvan Springs Church of Christ fellowship hall daily with groups of 4-6 volunteers (Monday-Saturday from 9-5). We are in need of volunteers starting Monday,5/9 to help with intake of supplies and assist getting supplies out (also help with organizing, sorting, packing boxes of food,etc.). Please call 497-8855 to let us know what day you can come,so that we do not “overbook.”
We are also asking that each group has a designated leader to coordinate activity. Thanks for your assistance!David Courington

Karen Banks Shepherd
Rock Creek Church of Christ
Free meals at Rock Creek Church of Christ located at 20 Mill Creek Road, Warrior, AL 35180 – Exit 287 off of I65 every night this week 5:00 – 7:00pm.

If you have a group that can serve a meal one evening, call the Rock Creek Church of Christ (205-641-1284).

Daniel Courington
Just some notes/thoughts.

Anyone going to work in effected areas- be sure to plan ahead. Most places will not allow you in without being escorted by a citizen. Just randomly showing up can be more of a hindrance than a help.

There is plenty of work to do in outlying areas- People who can salvage their house but have trees everywhere. If you can do tree work- the insurance company will credit homeowners with work done towards their deductible.

Homes that are completely destroyed don’t need help unless you have a bulldozer- People with a complete loss are staying with relatives and in hotels temporarily but will need a lot of help down the road! They will be responsible for completely starting over but that process has not begun for most yet. That’s why cash works so well- it gives the flexibility to work months from now when their is less “buzz”/vonteerism.

Places around here, as with many other places, look like a war zone. Keep praying for these people every day!