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When a monster came to Alabama
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Anonymous
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http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/04/29/whitmire.alabama.tornado/
I read this editorial (if you really want to call it that) and couldn't help but think of all the emotions that are going on - loss, hope, awe, fear, confusion. I'm from the Midwest, and much of what he wrote about growing up with storms brought back memories of my childhood - turn off the water pump when we see the black clouds roll in (we lived on well water and feared the cost of replacing the pump if it got struck by lightening), get the pets inside, go and watch from the deck until the storm hit us, then run into the basement and wait it out. I lost a bunny hutch one year (bunny was in the extra hutch inside). Neighbor lost a barn another time. Nearby town was destroyed another time, and I remember asking my mom if we could go out and help with the rescue effort (she of course said no - I think I was 11 at the time). It really is amazing to watch a tornado from miles away skip across cornfields. There is absolutely nothing you can do except hope and pray. |
Anonymous
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It is so sad but I wonder how many of the poeple who give so much to other countries when something happens there have picked up the phone and made adonation to the Red Cross or some organization.
and yes I already have. |
Anonymous
| You know, I've wondered this also.. Don't' get me wrong... I feel for Haiti, Japan etc etc.. but how many of the people that donate to those causes also donate to help people in our country also.. |
Anonymous
Thanks for the reminder (sincerely). I personally don't donate much anymore because I've become so jaded by the scandals over funds. Katrina comes to mind. I'd rather inquire at my church and see if they can contact a local church there so I have a better feeling that the money is going to where its really needed. |
AnonymousMom
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Thank you for sharing this. I went to college in Alabama and most of my college friends still live in the state...as the article pointed out, there are belongings scattered across the state. A friend who lives in Birmingham found paperwork from a store more than an hour away in her gutters. I would love to volunteer down there but am unsure how to make that work with my family situation. As the PP pointed out, we often open our hearts and wallets when tragedies occur in other countries -- I hope we do not forget about our feel Americans whose lives have been literally turned upside down. |
Anonymous
Donations for Japan were pretty low, because most poeple consider Japan a developed nation that could handle the disaster. And in some ways, that's how I see these things in the U.S. If my house got leveled by a tornado, I've got insurance to cover everything, including staying in a hotel. And we're not rich by any means. I wish there was a way to know that the money you donate is actually going to those that need it. |
AnonymousMom
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| *fellow (not feel) |
Anonymous
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If it matters, I can put a personal (sort of) face to the tragedy.
My dear friend lost her 10 year old daughter. I say "lost" because they haven't been able to find her in the debris. She is literally crazy with grief. The entire town of Smithville, Mississippi is gone. Gone meaning, it simply doesn't exist anymore. http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/dpp/weather/overwhelming-devastation-in-smithville-rpt-20110428 At this point, I've lost five loved ones to the tornadoes. Many others are still missing. And many are in the hospital. I spent almost four hours trying to get hold of my college-aged child. The absolute terror and panic I felt is indescribable. There just aren't words to describe how I felt. And my son is fine. He and his friends watched the tornado from their balcony in disbelief. We've seen plenty of tornadoes. They are fairly common in Mississippi. But nothing like this. Once I knew my son was ok, my attention turned to my parents, my sisters and brothers, my aunts and uncles. My cousins. My dear friends. My brother's guard unit has been activated and they are doing what they can to help. But the destruction is just overwhelming. Yesterday, area hospitals were asking people with "just broken bones and lacerations" to wait until they treated the more serious injuries before coming in. There are people in Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia trying to sort through the ruble with broken limbs and serious head injuries. If you can help, please help. If you get the chance to donate to your churches relief organization, please be generous. People are hurting beyond what most of us can imagine. |
Anonymous
I don't consider Alabama a developed nation, so I plan to give to the Red Cross. |
AnonymousMom
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12:56, I have tears in my eyes for your friend who lost her daughter. That is beyond the scope of what any person should have to deal with. I am also so sorry that you have lost many close to you...
Please let us know if you hear of the best place to send money or donations (or anything else that can be done). Heartbreaking. |
Anonymous
You sound really ignorant. Have you ever been to Birmingham? Or Montgomery? I get the feeling you don't get out of your DC bubble all that much. |
Anonymous
meant that parts are very undeveloped, so people should give generously. |
Anonymous
| Aside from the Red Cross, does any one know a reputable charity to give to? |
Anonymous
Direct Relief USA - same sorts of help - 4 star rating on Charity Navigator. For more info: http://www.directrelief.org/USA/EmergencyPrepandResponse.aspx |
Anonymous
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How about United Way Tornado Disaster Relief?
http://www.uwca.org/ Ways to help: http://blog.al.com/bargain-mom/2011/04/alabama_tornadoes_more_opportu.html |