Tornado Relief

I live in TN, where (according to our local news) we had 20 tornados touch down just in our county. We had an F-4 touch down 5 minutes away from our house, and a couple smaller ones came closer. It's crazy, because even seeing how bad the damages are here, what I see in the news (alabama especially!) it seems that we got off fairly easy. We are seeing TONS of support! Our local stores are selling things at wholesale price to those who lost their homes, and to people who are buying to donate. There are also a lot of volunteer efforts and donations gathering. Neighbors are being great about opening up homes to those who lost theirs, and providing help and support.

Although... this is mainly local stuff that's going on... I agree that it would be nice to see some help on a national level.

Don't forget flashlights!!

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I'm glad I'm not the only one that is irked by this.

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Where do you get your news? Plenty is being done.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/01/us-usa-weather-...

Obama isn't sitting back like W did for New Orleans.

ETA: Cheryl O--I couldn't disagree more with your post. Conservatives are fostering this "us vs. them" mentality.

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No, you are not the only one disturbed by this. You ask HOW this can happen? Here's how:

Because they are liberals - they want the world to LOVE us! But God forbid - can't do anything for US - because WE ARE THE U.S. - WE ARE THE STRONGEST, MOST POWERFUL NATION IN THE WORLD - WE DO NOT NEED HELP!!!

Bottom line? It's easier for them to promote themselves overseas and be "do-gooders" overseas instead of helping our own.....

Let's face it - it's been 5 years since Katrina - and we STILL have leeches living in FEMA trailers collecting $$$$ instead of getting their homes rebuilt. Or even TRYING to do something to help themselves - they want the Government or someone else to do it for them. They believe that Obama-care is FREE - only question is - WHO IS PAYING FOR IT?! DAH!! The WORKING AMERICANS!!!

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I live in south Mississippi (where Katrina hit) and I know that many people in my area are collecting and sending supplies to the tornado affected areas of our state. Many are also going to provide physical assistance. Our newspapers are filled with relief efforts and ways to help.

Since the areas have been declared disaster areas that means more, and quicker, governmental relief will be issued. MEMA (Mississippi Emergency Management) is already on the ground in the areas and, hopefully, FEMA will be soon also, if not already.

Unfortunately, local tornadoes just don't have the "appeal" of massive disasters ala Katrina and the tsunami. They don't get the continued national media coverage, and quickly get replaced by the next sensational piece of news to come through the pipeline. Some of this must be blamed on our society that has come to value sensationalism and instant gratification over solid journalism and Christian values.

But please know, that those of us who have lived through catastrophic natural disasters are well aware of the aide needed and are doing our best to provide it to our neighbors.

As for our celebrities, they are only celebrities because we make them so, and normally go for whatever gives them the biggest sound bite. The ones who do the most good are the ones who do not publicize their philanthropy - just quietly give away thousands to help others.

God Bless

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B., I think there's more going on than you might have seen. I can't answer any questions about who (celebrity-wise) is doing anything or whether there are commercials being run to raise money and/or awareness. But please realize that there are people all over the U.S. who are actively involved in raising money, collecting donations of all kinds, and sending volunteers (or volunteering themselves) to help with clean up efforts. Just today at church, our men and women's organizations were passing out volunteer sheets to go down on Mother's Day weekend, no less, to assist with clean up and distribution of donations. And I know for a fact that my church group isn't the only group doing exactly this kind of thing.

Just my personal feeling on the matter, but I wish everyone could drop the accusations based on political associations and just be Americans right now. I assure you the people in the affected areas don't give a flip if they're receiving help from conservatives, liberals, Democrats, or Republicans...they're just grateful for the helping hands and caring hearts.

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If anyone is looking for a way to help, here's a link with a list of charities:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_newsroom/deadly-tornadoes-d...

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My church has been doing tons of help in that region right now. Also, there is relief through the Red Cross and state emergency plans are also hard at work offering aid. Just because it is not widely publicized does not mean relief aid isn't happening, or that it will not come on the federal level. The tragedy in Japan was extremely catastrophic and was completely overwhelmed and needed foreign aid. I don't think the tsunami and it's need for aid compares to the tornado destruction at all. It isn't really that catastrophic of an event to warrant a worldwide emergency campaign from celebrities and other countries to help. Gotta keep the perspective here.

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FYI:
There's a Facebook page:
"Pictures and Documents found after the April 27, 2011 Tornadoes."
People in the affected states are posting all sorts of things, including photos and documents, that people are finding on their roofs, in their front yards, etc.

The irreplaceable things money can not make up for.

The people I've been seeing on the news say they are, "overwhelmed" with the generosity and selflessness strangers are showing for the victims and survivors with.

Please don't count us short so quickly :)
t

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I am a little concerned that this sounds a lot like the Facebook posting I'm seeing too. It is rapidly becoming spam, and you put yourself at risk of violating question posting guidelines.

By your topic, I thought you were looking for ways to help. So I will suggest a few: donate to the Red Cross (time, money, or supplies). Find out if your church is doing anything. Mine has a Humanitarian fund we can donate to and specify where the money goes (it will go directly to relief efforts wherever we specify, be it the Japan Tsunami or the Alabama/Mississippi tornado).

You are not the only one who cares. There are people all across America who are already mobilizing and doing things to help. Just because they aren't showing off how great they are doesn't mean they aren't doing anything. And I am sure FEMA will be activated soon.

My daughter heard about the tornado and immediately starting trying to find ways to help. She is going to work extra (she helps grandma clean her house for pay) so she can donate the money to the humanitarian fund, and encourage her friends and our neighbors to do the same.

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We were just saying the same thing at lunch! How during Katrina, Rita, BP Oil, and now this, you hear nothing about other countries sending money or people. Its like the office lady at work that makes sure a cake is given to coworkers on their birthday, but then for her birthday no one does anything.

The American Red Cross is there. Dollar Tree sent a few truck loads of stuff down. I don't know about International. There is also a group that I belong to called soldiersangels.org that is helping collect items.

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Hi B.,

The South is not a popular place for the types of celebrities that throw their money at places like New Orleans or Japan. I have so many friends that are dealing with this tragedy. One friend lost an entire family in her church. She only lost her roof,. Many are simply without water and electricity....How many orphans do we really have from this disaster?

This is the only country I know that would rather send money overseas or "save the puppies" that help the families that are in need here. God bless the churches that are pitching in!

M.

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I'm not disturbed by it because I don't watch television, so i get my news by what I read on the newspaper and hear on NPR and they are covering it. I recommend you reach out to news and inform them of how they can help. Let them know of a family who will share their devastation on camera, children/school doing something about the efforts to help victims. In other words, make the news. put it out on facebook, twitter, etc.. I'm with you that we should help our people in need. Good luck and turn your disappointment into something to be proud of.

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If anyone is in South Carolina here is an organization collecting items. A few college students here at Clemson are collecting and making a trip to Alabama after exams. Here is their website with a great list of needs and drop off points.
http://www.supportc2c.com/aboutc2c/

In Athens, Kroger and Publix suermarkets are taking donations for tornado releif.

The death toll in Japan has surpassed 10,000. There is no way you can compare the two.

I give to the Red Cross. I know they are a legitimate organization and they give real help.
I don't trust a lot of these fly by night charities that pop up over night when ever a disaster occurs. Most might be legitimate, but you can bet some of them are scams.
You also have to realize that people get burnt out after disaster after disaster after disaster.