There is so much going on in the news these days it is hard to keep up with it all. Just a post though to remind everyone of the devastation that many people are experiencing in the South and a few ideas on what you can do to help.
With any disaster the most direct way to help is to donate to the Red Cross. To donate:
Visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS, or text the word “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
You can read what the Red Cross is currently doing to help victims of the Tornado here.
The Salvation Army is also helping people with emergency food and other support efforts. You can donate money to the Salvation Army online and be sure to designate April 2011 Tornado Relief.
If you want to do something more or you don’t have the funds to donate right now, consider donating nonperishable items you might have on hand or that you can get for free with coupons.
Remember many people have been left without homes so they are really looking for a lot of basic household essentials. Items for children are especially wonderful- diapers, wipes, formula- and remember lots of these kiddos have nothing left. Don’t underestimate the importance of a box of kid’s bandaids, crayons, a Dora the Explorer toothbrush, and small toys or books to a child. I know if this was my situation a few small things to make my kids smile would mean the world to me!
If you live near the Birmingham area, you can find a list of locations currently accepting drop off donations here or go to the Boutwell Auditorium.
You can also send things to a local church in Birmingham, that my friend Holly at I Go Bogo recommends:
North Highlands Baptist Church
ATTN: Tornado Victims
4851 15th Street Rd, Hueytown, AL 35023
You can also contact your local Salvation Army and see if they are accepting donations for relief efforts. Find a Salvation Army location near you here.
And finally here are lots of items on items you can purchase for free or for very cheap right now:
Shop for Free list from Rite Aid, CVS and Walgreens
Shop for Free list from Target and Walmart
Other ideas from Target include: Arrowhead water for .19, cheap Aveeno sunscreen, free toothbrushes for kids…
While you are there be sure to check for the Dollar Spot clearance! I am going back today and really hoping to find some things to tuck into a box that we are putting together.
What other ideas do you guys have for ways to help?
(And a small rant from me on this topic- why doesn’t the TV Show Extreme Couponing organize a facility to accept coupons in the mail that they can use to get tons of these supplies for people? It would be wonderful to send our Similac coupons in particular to one place and have someone go and get all the product to donate to those in need? Now that would be an episode that I would actually watch.)
Randi says
I hear that Charlene! Let’s put some real use to all that “stockpiling”. I have family that lives down there, and my cousin literally had his house come apart around him as he huddled in the hallway with his neighbors. Thankfully they are all alive, but their entire neighborhood was demolished in just minutes. You have no idea how much a toothbrush and deodorant means to them right now. In times like this it’s the littlest things that remind us that people out there still care.
Rachel R. says
Thanks for the reminder. I think I will put a box together too and send it to the church you mentioned.
Alicja says
Charlene, regarding your “rant”…
I’ve had a similar idea that I’d like to put into motion once my daughter is a bit older and I’m done with school. I’d like to start a non-profit that utilizes coupons to help build emergency stockpiles for donations. Basically people would donate to the non-profit, knowing their money would go further. I’d use a small volunteer staff who would spend a few hours a week either organizing/planning trips, cutting coupons and collecting papers, or doing shopping trips. Then the stockpiles could be used for emergencies, homeless/women’s shelters in need, or any other area that would need help.
Lisa G. says
I’ve been kicking around the same idea in my head, how we can use coupons, and get other people who don’t normally uses them, to use them to help out the needy, disaster victims, etc.
Melissa says
I live in the Chattanooga area, which was also hit pretty hard. We are also in desperate need of blood. If you are able to donate, you might see if there is a need for blood in your area.
Rachel C. says
I’m so ready to start a couponing for homeless ministry here in San Diego. Just need more time and a swift kick in the pants.
Nicole says
I have a couple boxes of items ready for donation and I am going to stuff as much as I can into a flat rate box tonight. Thank you so much for showing us how we can do a small thing that will make someone’s day! I got 8 kids toothbrushes for free at Safeway a couple weeks ago. I think that will be the perfect start. Thanks!
Nicole says
I literally just packaged up my things. I took less than 5 minutes, and is ready to ship out tomorrow. I was able to fit all this into a Large Flat Rate USPS box. I think it is around $15 to ship.
9 toothbrushes
7 toothpastes
1 contact solution
8 deoderants
7 pain meds (all the free Excedrin PM)
6 cough drops
1 box bandaids (I thought I had more)
4 reach flosses
I know I’m forgetting something….
Anyway, I feel way better sending this, than just giving money. This has to be at least $75 retail. Thanks again Charlene for letting us know how we can help.
Michelle B says
I completely agree. I ask my friends for their pet coupons and pick up things here and there to drop off at the pet shelter. I did the same with care package items for Soldiers Angels. When I watch the episodes of Extreme Couponing I always think to myself- what in the world are you going to do with 114 bags of croutons, why dont you pass them out or donate them. Good thinking Charlene!
Serafina says
Thanks for the reminder. I have been occupied the last week following the situation of a friend of mine who lost her house to a tornado WHILE SHE WAS IN IT. Due to the widespread power outages before the tornadoes hit, many people had minutes, or even seconds to shelter. It is a miracle she and her family is alive. If anyone wants to see pics and hear of a personal story, another friend has blogged about it here:
http://dianastaresinicdeane.wordpress.com/2011/05/01/a-miracle-can-weigh-less-than-3-pounds-the-littlest-alabama-tornado-survivors/
She had many pets, including a dog, guinea pigs, and rats, and has found most of the pets, some of which survived. They had no time to shelter anyone. Be forewarned, if you are an animal lover, this is a heck of a tear-jerker! The online guinea pig forum community which she participated in has also set up fundraising, specifically for their family, and it is spilling over to help others who were likewise affected.
To know someone personally who has suffered such tragedy really hits home and reminds us of what is important and what we should be doing to help others!
Melissa says
It has been hard here in North Alabama as well. We have entire neighborhoods missing as well. I start to shake and cry when we go near those areas. My family was very lucky and we only lost power for 6 days. Many still don’t have power here in Madison County. I am with you on using coupons to stockpile for disasters. What a fantastic idea!
Windi herrin says
I just have to say it brought A tear to my eye to see you mention the tornado on you blog! I am from one of the hardest hit areas. I have several family members in mt. Hope Alabama that lost everything. And those people need everything. Of anyone would like, I can try to help with the coupons, for formula and stuff. I can be contacted thru email. Thanks to everyone for the prayers and donations, I have learned that you never know when it can be you needin a helping hand. I was fortunate and suffered no loss. But thanks again for way you are doing to raise awareness on you blog.
jenny says
Hi,
I have a friend there she says they have water send gatoraid or something like that.
Monica says
sending out a box of baby stuff- formula, diapers, wipes, books, small teddy bears… Thanks for the address. Wanted to help and wasn’t sure how to get an address. Thank you!
Jenny says
I live in Birmingham, Alabama and I’m from Jasper, Alabama. Both of these counties suffered major loss (lives and property). I am GLAD to accept your extra coupons — someone mentioned the Similac coupons specifically — and promise to use them for donation items. I’ve just purged my personal stockpile and donated it this past weekend. If you want to send personal care, baby, and other coupons to me (and/or any small cash contribution to cover the AL sales tax) to be used for donation items, please email me at [email protected] and I will send you my mailing address. Thanks!!
Serafina says
The Pioneer Woman is donating $0.25 for each comment on her blog post “Quarters” to help aid in the disaster relief.
http://thepioneerwoman.com/blog/2011/05/quarters/