The violent storms of April 27 prompted colleges and universities throughout the state to offer initial responses regarding disaster relief efforts. Alabama Baptist Institutions Samford University in Birmingham, University of Mobile (UMobile) and Judson College in Marion were among the leaders.
Renie Porter Moss, Samford University’s assistant dean for campus life, said students turned an April 30 concert into a fund-raising event. Avett Brothers, the featured performers agreed to donate an autographed guitar, banjo and concert posters. All proceeds will be provided to the Christian Service Mission in Birmingham. Another April 30 opportunity included volunteers serving at Christian Service Mission. Volunteers were asked to help receive donations and organize the donations to be sent for distribution.
A prayer service was held on campus May 3 in Reid Chapel for those affected by the storms. Moss said additional opportunities for service will be posted on the school’s website.
“Our natural instinct is to respond immediately, but we must remember that the response will be more than just today,” Samford University President Andy Westmoreland said in a released statement. “It will be a marathon need that lasts for weeks and months.”
According to Kathy Dean, director of media relations for UMobile, school officials urged donations through the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions to help disaster relief efforts. Thousands in the broader UMobile family were directed to aid the disaster relief by visiting online at http://www.alsbom.org/tornadorelief.
In addition, UMobile individual faculty and staff members are organizing teams to travel to north Alabama May 6–8 to help with relief efforts.
University President Mark Foley said, “Our University of Mobile family is continuing to pray for God’s grace and provisions for those who have lost loved ones and homes. Our prayers must also include the many hundreds of volunteers.”
David E. Potts, president of Judson College, sent an initial message to alumna, trustees, parents and friends of the college. “The Judson College campus community continues to pray for our friends throughout the state in the wake of this destruction, and we fully intend to ‘put feet to our prayers’ as service opportunities crystallize in the coming days.”
Judson’s missionary-in-residence, Laura Lee, sponsored a campus-wide prayer service the evening of April 28 for suffering families in the state. Judson’s director of faith-based service and learning, Susan Jones, was in contact with state relief agencies and planned to update the Judson community regarding upcoming volunteer projects. In addition, Jones’ office collected bottled water and nonperishable food items shortly after the storms hit the state.
Judson criminal justice professor John Weber made Judson College officials aware of the Tuscaloosa County “Spontaneous Volunteer Management Team” and their efforts in partnership with St. Matthias Episcopal Church, Tuscaloosa. Weber will continue to be a resource as Judson considers how its community can be helpful in Tuscaloosa — the devastated area closest to the college.
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