By Jeffery L. Biggs

American Red Cross

Residents from throughout the Wiregrass region of Alabama have provided 286 units of blood to the tornado relief efforts in Enterprise, Ala., following a devastating tornado that roared through this south Alabama town on March 1, 2007.

“The response has been overwhelming,” said W.B. Stewart, account manager for Gulf Coast Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. “We’ve had 286 productive units presented, and many more that wanted to donate blood, but were unable to.”

The blood drive lasted four days and was held in the Wal-Mart SuperCenter parking lot in
Enterprise. It was the debut of the region’s brand new self-contained collection trailer.

“The self-contained unit got initiated in a big way,” Stewart said.

The blood drive officially concluded on Monday, March 5; but potential donors don’t need to worry.

“We are re-opening the Dothan, Ala. Donor Center with its regular hours, (Thursday’s 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.); and we are adding a Friday operating time from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.,” Stewart added.Potential donors are reminded that all blood types are needed.

Local, national Red Cross workers provide immediate services to citizens

ENTERPRISE, Ala., March 9, 2007 – A week may have passed since deadly tornadoes swept through central and south Alabama killing 10 and injuring hundreds, but the American Red Cross continues its efforts to provide immediate relief to the citizens of Coffee, Dale, Henry, Montgomery, and Wilcox counties. 

“We are continuously working with local chapters and with our national volunteers to provide for the immediate needs of the citizens in all affected counties in Alabama,” said Ron Speakes, disaster operations director for the American Red Cross’ national relief operation. “The American Red Cross has been on scene and working with affected residents since Thursday and will continue to work with residents in the affected areas until needs have been met.” Since the relief operation began on March 1, volunteers from the Red Cross of Central Alabama in Montgomery, the Black Belt Chapter of the American Red Cross, Wiregrass Chapter of the American Red Cross, and the Coffee County Chapter of the American Red Cross; have been providing much needed food, water, counseling, and financial assistance to clients. 

“As soon as the tornadoes struck the local chapters of the American Red Cross initiated their disaster operations plans,” Speakes added. “In fact, chapters across Alabama and the southeast were very closely monitoring the weather, ready to mobilize at a moment’s notice.” Since the disaster operations began, more than 5,000 meals, nearly 12,000 snacks, and more than 6,000 bottles of water have been distributed across the affected disaster areas by American Red Cross workers and volunteers. 

Affected citizens have also been receiving Red Cross financial assistance. “Part of the Red Cross mission to provide immediate assistance to citizens affected by these storms is to provide financial assistance for citizens’ immediate food, shelter, and clothing needs,” Speakes said. “Since relief operations began, more than 142 clients have sought assistance from the Red Cross to help with their immediate needs.” 

Funding for the financial assistance provided to clients comes from the generosity of the American people, and is an outright gift. “To cover the costs of providing assistance for the clients affected by these tornadoes, the American Red Cross has implemented a fund-raising plan to ensure that funds received by the Red Cross for disaster relief operations in Alabama will return to the citizens in Alabama affected by the storms,” Speakes added. Individuals wishing to make a contribution to the relief efforts in Alabama are encouraged to contact their local chapter of the American Red Cross, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (733-2767), or make an on-line donation via the secure web site http://www.redcross.org.

Tornado Relief Operation Seeks Funds to Assist Citizens

ENTERPRISE, Ala., March 9, 2007 – Citizens, businesses, and organization seeking a way to immediately help individuals affected by the tragic March 1, 2007 tornadoes that swept through Coffee, Dale, Henry, Montgomery, and Wilcox counties in Alabama are encouraged to make a contribution to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.  “All Red Cross assistance is an outright gift of the American people,” said Ron Speakes, disaster operations manager for the Red Cross. “All donations are voluntary, and the Red Cross does not charge for any assistance it provides to clients.” In order to provide the much needed assistance, however, funds must be raised to help supplement the relief operations. 

“If someone is looking for a way they can help the residents affected by the tornadoes, a tax-eligible donation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund is always a good option,” Speakes said. “Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund are used to provide immediate assistance to clients needing food, shelter, clothing, and other immediate necessities.” In addition to individuals wishing to make a contribution to disaster relief efforts, businesses may also make donations to the fund either on a national level, or through the local relief efforts.  “Businesses and organizations seeking to make a corporate or civic contribution to the relief operations can contact their local Red Cross chapter, or contact a representative with the national relief operation at (571) 226-8226,” Speakes added. “Many individuals, businesses, and organizations have already come forward to make contributions; and we and the citizens in the affected areas, are very thankful. However, more assistance is needed, because the American Red Cross will continue relief efforts long after the initial shock of this tragedy has worn off.” Speakes added that relief operations are underway in all parts of
Alabama, and that assistance is provided in every county affected by the storms. “The Red Cross is working in every county touched by these tornadoes,” he said. “We will continue our efforts to help these people as long as the need is there.” Contributions to the American Red Cross disaster relief efforts in
Alabama can be made by contacting a local chapter of the American Red Cross, by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (733-2767), or by making an on-line donation via the secure web site http://www.redcross.org.

This information includes statistics from March 1-March 7, 2007 

Shelter Population: 75

Meals Served: 6,039

Snacks Served: 11,113

Fixed Feeding Sites: 1

Mobile Feeding Units: 9

Disaster Client Cases Opened: 142

Clean Up Kits Distributed (mops, brooms, other cleaning supplies): 261

Comfort Kits (hygiene items): 144

Mental Health Contacts: 472

American Red Cross Workers/Volunteers: 814

The American Red Cross shelter located at the First Baptist Church,  302 N. Main Street, will cease operations at 8 a.m.

DEDICATED VOLUNTEER: Kaitlyn and Priscilla Collins continue to help their community in need.  (Photo: Jeffery L. Biggs/American Red Cross)

By Christi Harlan, For the American Red Cross

ENTERPRISE, Ala. – March 6, 2007 Delores Swensen reported for duty today as volunteer for logistics at the Coffee County Chapter of the American Red Cross in Enterprise, Ala., five days after a tornado killed nine people, including eight high school students.Although the Coffee County Chapter immediately began to shelter and feed tornado victims in Enterprise, Swensen had a good excuse for her delayed arrival: her home was one of 243 to suffer major damage in Friday’s storms in Alabama. Another 250 homes were destroyed, and 360 were damaged or affected.

Swensen is one of thousands of Red Cross workers across the United States who each year set aside personal hardship to don their red-and-white vests and help their neighbors recover from disaster.

“These are people who are trained, skilled, experienced volunteers who have responded to numerous disasters,” said Elaine Roberts, director of disaster relief operations for the Coffee County Chapter. “This time, the disaster was in their own town. They are to be commended for their service and commitment.”

The Coffee County Chapter is almost entirely volunteer-staffed; the chapter has only two paid staff. In mid-January, the chapter performed a disaster exercise.

“The irony was that a tornado in Enterprise was the scenario they chose for the exercise,” said Joseph Cilano, chapter solutions manager for the Red Cross Southeast Service Area. “I’ve facilitated a dozen of these exercises, and this was the only one I’ve done in which all of the participants were volunteers. That’s very unusual.

“They did well in the exercise,” Cilano said, “and they’ve done a phenomenal job in this disaster operation.”

In Coffee County, a total of seven Red Cross volunteers saw their own homes destroyed or damaged by the March 1 tornado and still joined the disaster relief operations afterward.

“We’ve got one volunteer whose home is totally gone, and he hasn’t missed a day (on the disaster operation),” said Sue Beckman, Coffee County Chapter manager.

Other volunteers were affected by the disaster in other ways.

Kaitlyn Collins, a junior at Enterprise High School, is the daughter of Priscilla Collins, volunteer public affairs specialist with the Coffee County Chapter. Kaitlyn, 16, was in the science wing of the high school, where some of the students were killed, but she was unhurt. Still, it took Priscilla 90 minutes to be reunited with her daughter.

Priscilla reported for duty as a public affairs specialist less than 24 hours later without hesitation.

“How could I hesitate?” she said. “This is my town, my community, my school, my church. How could I not help?”
Beckman, the chapter manager, said her team may be volunteers, but they function like professionals.

“This disaster has been harder because our own people have been affected,” she said. “But they set their own tragedy aside to help their community. That’s what the Red Cross is about.”

The American Red Cross Disaster Service Center in Enterprise, Ala. has opened with hundreds of citizens seeking assistance for damages and losses sustained in the March 1, 2007 tornado that roared through the Alabama town.

(Photo: Jeffery L. Biggs/American Red Cross)

We have had a number of inquiries about the American Red Cross shelter in Enterprise.

The facility will remain open again Monday night.

Enterprise (Coffee County) (Map)
First Baptist Church
302 North Main Street

For Tuesday, March 6th, the American Red Cross will operate four bulk distribution sites open for citizens affected by last week’s tornado. This includes all three locations that were open Monday, and adding the First Methodist Church (address below)

Hours have changed - sites will be open from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Tuesday.

The following items are available:

• rakes
• gloves
• shovels
• trash bags
• coolers
• clean-up kits
• snacks

Items will be available at the following locations:

• West College Ave. and Meredith St. (map)
• YMCA on Highway 27 (map)
• Coffee County Chapter (map)
  
• NEW! - First Methodist Church (map)
  

ENTERPRISE, Ala., March 5, 2007 – The American Red Cross has opened a service center in Enterprise, Ala., to assist people affected by the March 1 tornado. (map)

Families and individuals can obtain immediate emergency assistance with housing and other needs. Red Cross workers at the service center will assess the needs on a case-by-case basis and assist the clients in developing recovery plans. Health services, including mental health, and advocacy assistance are also available.

“These services are the core of the Red Cross’s efforts to help victims of disaster take the first steps toward recovery,” said Ron Speakes, director of Red Cross disaster relief operations in Enterprise. “While we continue to fulfill the needs of the community through our emergency food and supply operations, the service center is our opportunity to work with individuals on their personal needs.”

The service center is located at the First United Methodist Church, 217 S. Main St., on the Edwards Street side of the church. The center will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.