20 In Life

Tornados, Spring Break, Easter… and more!

Hello faithful and patient blog readers…
rover

I kissed the sick rover last week and got his crud… I’m recovering but it takes me a bit longer to fully feel up to par, thanks for your patience!

Has it been a week? I think it has. Before I dive into my post, which I’ve allotted myself 1 hour for, so fasten your seat belts, I have a couple matters of business…

First, thank you for your prayers for our state, the response has been great but I am sad to report that there is still so much suffering. I have received several emails & messages the last few days about ways that people can help. I am more than happy to pass all of this information along. If you have information as to ways that people can help, and would like for me to post information regarding what is being collected and where, please leave a comment here with all the details as to what is being collected, where and what is most needed. I know some folks are working really hard this week to help the students of Pleasant Grove elementary come up with Mother’s Day gifts for their mothers. I know of another group collecting the Jesus Storybook Bible for children. The Junior League of Morgan County is collecting drawstring bags for children in need to hold simple belongings like underwear and toiletries. And countless churches/organizations/cities are collecting as well. I’m more than happy to pass on the ways that people can serve. I will collect all the comments and put them into a post to share as soon as possible. I know the response has been great across the state but the need is still greater. If your comment has a link in it to a website, I will likely have to approve it before it will post… know that I will, it just may take a while for your comment to show up.

And… along those lines, thank you so much for all of your support for Big House’s Swimsuit and Towel drive. I know there are are few more trickling in so the Kindle drawing will be a little later this week! Stay tuned… and it’s not too late to participate. They are also looking for volunteers on May 14th in Trussville  {@ Trussville United Methodist Church} for the Big House Swimsuit and Towel Drive packaging event! They will be putting personalized towels, swimsuits, and a card in a bag for children in foster care. It should be a great time! And they need embroiderers to come on-site to help finish towels!

And now time is running out and I was thinking I would blog about spring break, Easter, and honey… I apparently set my blogging bar too high tonight! I’ll try again in the morning!

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  • Jennie-Marie
    May 4, 2011 at 10:36 pm

    Hey, would love for you to share our link http://www.jlmorgancounty.com
    or you can share my blog post!!! thank you!

  • Lynnlee Massarelli
    May 4, 2011 at 11:08 pm

    I am a student at UA, the church I attend there…Calvary Baptist Church has setup both long-term and short-term solutions. This involves ways to give and serve, again both now and in 6 months from now to help the people get their lives back together.

    https://www.calvarytuscaloosa.org/tornadorelief/

    this is a direct link to all of their tornado relief information

    thanks!!

  • Lindsey Williamson
    May 5, 2011 at 7:00 am

    Darby –

    I’d love for you to share our blog about how people can help get Jesus Storybook Bibles and small gift bags to the kids who are now in shelters because of the storms.

    Here is our blog – https://www.sharinghisstoryal.blogspot.com/
    Here is our facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sharing-His-Story/213255688693648

    Thanks so much!
    Lindsey

  • Perfecting Pru
    May 5, 2011 at 7:00 am

    I have been thinking of you all over the last week or so. Will help in any way I can.

    I hope you are starting to feel better.

  • cat moore
    May 5, 2011 at 7:46 am

    would love to share info from our church based here in Birmingham, but has campuses in Tuscaloosa, Auburn, etc. Here is the link to the relief page on the website: https://churchofthehighlands.com/relief
    Thanks for all you’re doing!
    xo, cat

  • Mary Lanier
    May 5, 2011 at 7:55 am

    Hey Darby! My little guy and I both had the stomach funk last week and it has thrown us for a loop! Definitely praying for the folks recovering in your state! Our church is partnering with Church of the Highlands this weekend for supply drive. http://www.newspring.cc
    Happy early Mother’s Day!

  • Carrie
    May 5, 2011 at 8:05 am

    Our church is a mission partner with Christian Service Mission. They have been doing a ton and are in need of supplies bc they send out multiple trucks daily to all over the state, not just one place. They cannot keep enough supplies. Here is their website. https://www.csmission.org/
    Thanks!

  • Amy
    May 5, 2011 at 8:12 am

    Sorry you have been sick Darby! I’m glad you are feeling better. We have donated money through the American Red Cross. Just for others to know, in case they didn’t already, if you are donating through the American Red Cross (https://american.redcross.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ntld_main&s_src=RSG000000000&s_subsrc=RCO_NewsArticle), you can specify where you want your funds to go (ie to tornado disasters) so that the funding is directly given to those most in need. I also appreciate the other commentors who have listed ways to help and the websites to go to. Darby, you really do so much good by just simply posting. SO many follow your blog and can easily help with just one click.

  • Katie Baba-Nielson
    May 5, 2011 at 8:43 am

    i am having a fundraiser through my business, Thirty-one and donating 100% of the profits from all purchases on this event to tornado relief in my home state of Alabama. here is the link and my email address is katiebabanielson31[at] gmail[dot]com if anyone has questions.

    https://www.mythirtyone.com/shop/eventhome.aspx?eventId=E651237&from=MYEVENTS

  • Jessalee Langford
    May 5, 2011 at 8:46 am

    I live in Athens just one mile from the tornado that hit Tanner. I feel very blessed that we were spared but hurt for those who have lost everything. The Community and State have been SO supportive! They are actually having to turn volunteers away…what a GREAT problem to have!!! A local news station is hosting a telethon tomorrow (Friday, May 6th). Help me spread the word!! https://www.whnt.com/weather/stormcentral/whnt-whnt-news-19-wdrm-team-up-to-help-tennessee-valley-after-the-storm-20110502,0,3567931.story. You can watch a live news stream here… https://www.whnt.com/ All proceeds go directly to the red cross to help those affected by the storms!

  • Elizabeth
    May 5, 2011 at 8:58 am

    ServeAlabama.gov is the website that the Governor’s Emergency Relief Fund is taking donations. It will cover things that FEMA/Emergency budgets won’t cover. It will eventually also provide grants for businesses to get back together.

    Toomers4Tuscaloosa.com has sites across the nation where drop offs are being held and contact information. Not only are T4T supporting Tuscaloosa, but also all affected counties. Seriously amazing work is being done by these students! (war eagle to that!)

    You may also call 211 if you’re in Alabama and that is the volunteer hotline. We’ve been asked by FEMA and Police and Nat’l Guard to PLEASE call and get sent to a volunteer coordinated site than just showing up. As you can imagine, there is a lot of gross destruction that volunteers do not need to see. So please get assigned a project first! If not in Alabama- call 1-888-421-1266.

    Any questions or concerns regarding FEMA, how you can help, or any other questions concerning tornado disaster, call the Governors Hotline at 1-866-465-2241.

    FEMA: 1-800-621-FEMA
    RedCross (this number will get you in touch with your county redcross) 1-800-733-2767

  • Betsy Childs
    May 5, 2011 at 9:39 am

    The Christian Service Mission in Birmingham has been doing a tremendous job of selecting and distributing supplies to everyone affected by the tornadoes. They have a wish list set up on Amazon:
    https://www.amazon.com/wishlist/1R41WY8NOJJ3A/ref=cm_wl_rlist_go

    You can scroll through their list of needs, buy something, and have it shipped directly to the Christian Service mission. Shipping is free!

    For those in other parts of the country who would like to help, this is a great way. You might consider looking through the list with their children and letting them pick out something to send to the children of Alabama.

  • rhonda
    May 5, 2011 at 10:19 am

    I cant’t help but notice that the little Rover gets the most photos on the blog! He must be a real mommas boy! We also have two little blonde haired girls and every time I see his most ADORABLE little face – it makes me want to have a third (HOPEFULLY A BOY!) so bad! I swore I was done until I found your blog and now I am convinced I need a little guy! They are all all gorgeous! Love your blog!

  • vanessa
    May 5, 2011 at 10:19 am

    The schools in Hackleburg were destroyed, as was most of the town by the EF5 tornado. Most of the classroom libraries were destroyed as well. To help build the library back up, book collection is being accepted at the Hamilton Rec Center, 371 7th Ave SW, Hamilton AL 35570. A great idea for getting your child involved is letting them send a book matching their grade level.

  • Nicole
    May 5, 2011 at 10:30 am

    My family is from Tuscaloosa and I spent 4 wonderful years there too. It breaks my heart to see the destruction. So many people have jumped to the cause and some agencies have more physical donations than they can process right now. What they need more than anything else are monetary donations. My college church home, Calvary Baptist, has stepped up (as have so many other wonderful churches) and are in the process of adopting families who have lost everything. They are providing temporary homes, food, and in some cases, jobs to these individuals. In addition, they have opened up additional daycare rooms for free emergency childcare for both victims and volunteers. Here is a link to their website, which has a link for donations as well as information about their other services. https://www.calvarytuscaloosa.org/

    In addition, a sorority sister of mine has a children’s clothing line, and she is donating a portion of all sales to the relief effort too. Check out https://backyardbaby.com/ or this blog entry that provides specific ways you can make purchases that will support the cause: https://backyardbabytshirts.blogspot.com/2011/05/make-difference.html

    Thank you so much for getting the word out. Our precious Alabama is hurting.

  • Amanda Wells
    May 5, 2011 at 10:46 am

    Glad you’re back!
    https://www.amandadovewells.com/?page_id=45

  • Katie @ Noodle and Boof
    May 5, 2011 at 12:35 pm

    Uh oh! Feel better soon! Rover is too cute not to kiss! 🙂

  • Shannon Stewart
    May 5, 2011 at 4:32 pm

    2011 Storm Relief Fund

    The Junior League of Birmingham has received donations totaling $7,848 as of Monday morning May 2nd. We will continue to accept monetary donations through Friday May 20th and will match all monetary donations received dollar for dollar up to $20,000. You can donate online at the JLB website http://www.jlbonline.com or mail a check to the Junior League Building at 2212 20th Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35223.

    Ways to Volunteer – Immediately

    UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL ALABAMA – 211 Information Hotline
    The United Way of Central Alabama needs help fielding the overwhelming volume of calls into their 211 information hotline, which helps storm victims by providing them with contact information for the many different agencies providing services.
    There are five shifts every day through Friday, May 6, 2011. You will report to the United Way at 3600 Eighth Avenue South. You will be given specific instructions on where to report once you have been confirmed. Please wear your Junior League of Birmingham t-shirt.
    To help, please email Hailey Hutchinson at hhutchinson@uwca.org . She is a JLB member and is coordinating volunteers for UWCA. The JLB is NOT scheduling these volunteers.
    These are FOUR HOUR SHIFTS beginning at 4:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., and 8:00 p.m.
    Register with Hands on Birmingham at http://www.handsonbirmingham.org
    The Junior League is continuing to work with local officials to discuss how our members can be a part of the recovery efforts that are facing our community. As we learn of new opportunities to assist in rebuilding the lives of those in our community affected by the storm we will pass them along to our members. Thank you again for your commitment to our mission and the women and children of our community.
    Liz Edwards

  • Mary John @ Tootledoo Designs
    May 5, 2011 at 6:32 pm

    All of the profits from my Alabama & Auburn merchandise will go to http://www.helptuscaloosaschols.com, and 30% of all other sales will also be donated! Fun pillows & fabric letters, as well as other home and dorm decor as well!

    https://tootledoodesigns.blogspot.com/2011/05/lets-raise-some-money.html

    I emailed you this, then read that we were supposed to comment, so just disregard the email 🙂