2012 Big River Little Run
Join Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Alabama on February 18 for the Big River Little Run. Our annual 5k Run/Walk at the river on Jack Warner Parkway begins at 8AM. Registration is at 7AM. Our One Mile Fun Run starts at 9AM. Registration fee is $20. The $20 registration fee will be waived for runners who secure $100 or more in pledges from individuals by race day. View our flyer here.
If you'd like to participate in the race, please download the registration form here.
Sponsorship Opportunities
The 2012 Big River Little Run is offering opportunities to sponsor the race.
Click here to download the sponsorship form.
For more information, call (205) 758-5734 or email bbbs@bbbswestal.org.
West Alabama Tornado Volunteer Information
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, May 8, 2011 – Please find below information updated today which needs to be distributed to tornado victims and their families in West Alabama. The newest information is at the top of the press release; however, the information is listed in the body of the press release as well. You can also visit United Way of West Alabama's website news page at www.uwwa.org/news for all of this information at any time. United Way of West Alabama will be open Saturday, May 7 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
NEWEST INFORMATION:
Ø Large trucks with donations can drop off items at the old Phifer Warehouse (2505 Greensboro Avenue/access off 24th Street and open 7 a.m. – 6p.m.)
Ø Please only donate new clothing items since donations of used clothing have been so generous to this point.
VOLUNTEERS:
Those wishing to volunteer should report to the Volunteer Reception Center at The McAbee Center located at 3801 Loop Road in Tuscaloosa. Hours of operation are as follows: Saturday, May 7 from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Sunday, May 8 from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.; Monday, May 9 through Friday, May 13 from 6 a.m. - 7 p.m. ALL individuals wishing to volunteer should report here to sign up and find out about volunteer needs available, and some volunteers will be placed immediately. Depending on your skill set, your information may be taken, and you could be contacted once a volunteer need becomes available. For more information, please contact the City of Tuscaloosa's volunteer line at 205-248-5045.
Individuals who want to volunteer can also go to givetuscaloosa.com and click on the volunteer tab. Select the appropriate forms for download to fill out before arriving at the Volunteer Reception Center at the McAbee Center.
DONATIONS (MONETARY):
Tax deductible donations can be made to United Way of West Alabama from now through August 31 with 100% of donated money going directly to West Alabama tornado relief efforts by visiting www.uwwa.org. You can also give to American Red Cross and or The Salvation Army in Tuscaloosa. Give to the Tuscaloosa Disaster Relief Fund by visiting www.givetuscaloosa.com. To give to students enrolled at the three Tuscaloosa area schools demolished in the storms, go to helptuscaloosaschools.com, and to help children in schools damaged all across Alabama, go to www.PenniesForAlabama.com.
DONATIONS (NON-MONETARY):
Items needed: Ready to eat and non-perishable food items, tarps for covering roofs, NEW clothing (especially underwear, socks, and new or VERY gently worn tennis shoes); newborn and baby items including diapers, formula, diaper cream, and baby powder and wipes; clothes hangers, school supplies, sunscreen, wipes, soap, towels, washcloths, hand sanitizer, flash lights, deodorant, and detergent. Donations are being accepted at the following: United Way of West Alabama (2720 6th Street/Tuscaloosa); Temporary Emergency Services (1705 15th Street/Tuscaloosa); Boy Scouts Black Warrior Council (2700 Jack Warner Pkwy./Tuscaloosa); Leland Shopping Center (2601 University Blvd./Tuscaloosa); United Cerebral Palsy of West Alabama (Rice Mine Road/Tuscaloosa); Xperience Salon & Spa (1663 McFarland Boulevard N in Tuscaloosa Galleria); BFGoodrich is a donation drop off location for The City of Tuscaloosa Relief Center, and items can be dropped off 24/7. Large trucks with donations can drop off items at the old Phifer Warehouse (2505 Greensboro Avenue/access off 24th Street and open 7 a.m. – 6p.m.)
Donations for pets:
T-Town PAWS, Metro and the Humane Society need pet supplies which can be dropped off at United Way of West Alabama.
DISABLED TORNADO VICTIMS:
If you or someone you know is disabled and affected by the tornado, please contact 205-333-1577 ext. 221.
FEMA DISASTER REGISTRATION:
Contact 1.800.621.3362 to register with FEMA if you suffered storm damage.
HOUSING/SHELTERS:
Contact 2-1-1, United Way's Information & Referral Service, for information on low cost housing options in West Alabama. ClassiTIDES.com is publishing daily lists of low cost housing, and they will provide updated books at retail establishments and to United Way of West Alabama each Thursday. People who have lost homes can call 1-800-621-3362 to report the loss.
Shelters available: Belk Activity Center has availability; Temporary Emergency Services has a shower available; G.G. Harden Center in Brookwood has restrooms to freshen up, no showers. The House of Benjamin is a ten bed Veterans Transition Home for dually diagnosed veterans, and it has ten beds now ready to serve veterans.
FOOD/WATER/OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE:
Food/Water stations for victims (not volunteers) are located at Leland Shopping Center, Locklear Dodge off Greensboro, Fire College at Bruno's Supermarket, Skyland Elementary. American Red Cross is at Belk Activity Center and can provide assistance with food and shelter but victims not required to stay there to receive food; Forest Lake Baptist Relief Center providing meals for volunteers; Portable kitchen set up at Rosedale; Impact Nation Church in Alberta (formerly New Testament) is providing clothing, water, flashlights and other items.
Meals Available May 4 through May 6
*Leland Shopping Center has a variety of food available.
*Tuscaloosa's One Place in Alberta City is offering hot meals and other supplies.
*PARA is coordinating with those who already have mobile food kitchens to make sure they get the food to the people who need it most. Call Becky at PARA if you have any questions at 205-562-3220 xt. 35.
*Mercedes-Benz U.S. International Team Members will operate an industrial grill in Alberta City in the parking lot of Your Way Furniture (930 26th Ave East) beginning with lunch on Tuesday, May 3. Meals will be served to affected residents, and the grill will be stationed indefinitely as long as there is a need.
*Southern Baptist Disaster Relief has two feeding units in place preparing food. Call Pam Rogers at American Red Cross at 334-850-5893 if you are in need of food.
BFGoodrich retail subsidiary, TCI Tire Centers, has dispatched their Disaster Relief Unit to provide tire service, replacement and repair to keep emergency response vehicles operational. The unit is stationed at the corner of 15th Street and McFarland Boulevard.
Tuscaloosa Disaster Food Assistance - The Tuscaloosa County Department of Human Resources will be operating a Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) from Tuesday, May 10 through Sunday, May 15 from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. at Coleman Coliseum. To prevent overcrowding and long wait lines, applications will be taken based on the first letter of your last name according to the following schedule: Tuesday (A – E), Wednesday (F – J), Thursday (K – O), Friday (P – T), Saturday (U – Z). Sunday is available for anyone who was not able to make one of the above dates. PLEASE NOTE: If you are a current food assistance recipient DO NOT come to this site to apply. Your benefits will be adjusted automatically. Residents of Tuscaloosa County who have had disaster damage to their homes, loss of food, expenses related to protecting their homes, have lost income as a result of the disaster, or have no access to bank accounts or other resources are eligible to apply. Applicants must meet income limits composed of net household income plus available liquid resources (cash or money in the bank). What information will be needed to apply? Some form of identification, such as a photo I.D. or documents that contain your name and/or address, is necessary to verify identity and residence in Tuscaloosa County. However, if a person does not have identifying documents due to storm damage, they can bring someone to verify that they are who they say they are through a process called collateral contact. No other documents will be necessary. How much assistance will an individual receive? Everyone who qualifies based on disaster damage to their homes, loss of food, expenses related to protecting their homes, or if they have lost income as a result of the disaster and they meet income requirement will receive a one-time benefit based on household size. There is no partial qualification. You either qualify or you do not. How will those who qualify access benefits? Upon completion of the application process, qualified individuals and families will be issued an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. Benefits will be available within four (4) days after the application is filed. Account balance information can be accessed using the toll-free number 1-800-997-8888.
TIDE LOADS OF HOPE:
Beginning Tuesday, May 3 through Thursday, May 12th from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. at University Mall, the Tide Loads of Hope mobile laundry program will bring its free laundry services to Tuscaloosa to provide clean clothes to those affected by the recent tornadoes. Working with the American Red Cross, the Tide Loads of Hope mobile laundry program will be providing free laundry services to relief workers and residents of Alabama who are in need of resources and support following the damage caused by the recent area tornados. These residents and workers are encouraged to drop off their laundry to be washed, dried and folded, free of charge. No bedding, jackets, or other large pieces will be accepted. Also, people across the country can help support Tide Loads of Hope by purchasing a Tide Loads of Hope vintage tee by visiting www.tideloadsofhope.com. All of the profits from the tees go to help families affected by natural disaster.
DURACELL POWER RELIEF TRAILER (RECHARGING STATIONS):
Duracell is joining forces with Tide Loads of Hope to provide much needed power to those impacted by the recent tornado devastation with its Power Relief Trailer at University Mall Tuesday, May 3 through Thursday, May 12th from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Deployed for the first time, Duracell's Power Relief Trailer allows community members the ability to reconnect with their loved ones through recharging stations for their mobile devices, distribution of key Duracell products including at-home safety kits, and information on how to get assistance in the area. Satellite phones, a computer kiosk station and Wi-Fi will also be available to help in recovery efforts.
FREE COMPUTER USAGE AT TUSCALOOSA COUNTY SCHOOLS:
If you have a child in a Tuscaloosa County School, you can go to your child's school between now and the end of the school year during normal school hours to use the computer lab for checking email, paying online bills, connecting with friends and loved ones on Facebook, etc.
MISSING PERSONS/SURVIVOR REGISTRATION:
Survivors need to check in with Tuscaloosa Police Department at 205-759-7111. Searching for Missing Persons – check hospitals first (DCH Tuscaloosa 205-759-7111 or DCH Northport 205-333-4500; 205-349-2121 (non-emergency number for Tuscaloosa Police). Also, search safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php.
SENIOR ASSISTANCE:
Senior citizens impacted by the tornado should call the Area Agency on Aging at (205)333-2990 for assistance. Those affected outside of Tuscaloosa may call toll free 1-800-243-5463.
CHILD CARE:
Trinity Presbyterian on Rice Mine Road in Tuscaloosa is providing free childcare Tuesday, May 3 from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. to tornado survivors. Free transportation is provided. Contact the church for more information at 205-391-2111.
Calvary Baptist Church has free childcare each day for volunteers and survivors.
DEBRIS REMOVAL:
Local contractors who are willing to provide free debris removal should contact 205-248-5800. Also, Samaritan's Purse is doing free debris removal and putting tarps on people's homes. This is being coordinated at First Baptist Church and services are all free. The contact number is 205-345-7554.
Southern Baptist Disaster Relief is offering free chainsaw teams, debris removal, shower units, and chaplain help with trained Southern Baptist teams available. Call 205-339-2273 if you need assistance. They are associated with FEMA and mandated by Homeland Security background checks.
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is currently taking applications for assistance needed in debris clean up and tarping of homes. Those in need of assistance should call Rock Stone at 205-792-3301, Tuscaloosa First Methodist Church at 205-345-7261, or Nancy Cole at 205-339-1994.
LEGAL SERVICES:
The University of Alabama School of Law Clinics, in conjunction with the Alabama State Bar's Volunteer Lawyers Program and the Tuscaloosa County Bar Association will begin offering free legal services beginning Thursday, May 5, for those affected by the recent tornado. The Legal Assistance Project will provide free legal services both on-site at local area aid centers and at the law clinic programs office at The University of Alabama School of Law. Law students and attorneys will be available weekdays at the law school in the mornings from 9:00 a.m. - noon and at local response centers from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. The project will provide these services at Leland Shopping Center in Alberta City, at SOMA Church in Holt and at the Belk Activity Center at Bowers Park. Legal advice will be provided concerning public benefits and programs, insurance claims and processes, housing rights, and other civil matters related to the storm and the displacement that resulted from it. For more information or to make an appointment at the clinic, please call 348-4960. Walk-ins are welcome at all locations.
MEDICAL SERVICES:
Some local doctors have set up mobile clinics in Alberta City, Rosedale, and Holt to do clinic work like take blood pressure, blood sugar levels, etc. but not for EMS. Tornado survivors with mental health needs can call the Belk Activity Center at 205-562-3200. Those needing a medical needs shelter can call 205-331-1770 for guidelines and screening.
Disaster victims with diabetes can call the American Diabetes Association at 1-888-DIABETES or 205-870-5172. They will have command centers in Tuscaloosa where supplies can be disbursed to patients.
Good Samaritan Clinic will have limited medical care at the mobile clinic on Saturday, May 7.
Family Counseling Service is offering free counseling services to those affected by the tornado. Anyone interested may contact 205-752-2504.
Temporary Emergency Counseling Services, a coordinated effort of the University of Alabama mental health professionals, will be available to provide crisis counseling and mental health services to those affected by the recent tornado. These services are provided by volunteers at no charge on May 2 from noon – 6 p.m.; May 3 – 6 from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.; May 9 – 13 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Number to call for information: 348-7960. Volunteers will answer and refer calls to the appropriate location. Mental Health Services provided at the following locations for state employees and members of the Tuscaloosa community: Bryce Hospital, Adolescent Unit; Temporary Emergency Services (1705 15th Street). Services provided at the following locations for University of Alabama Faculty and Staff and their dependents: University Medical Center (850 5th Ave East, corner of 5th & Univ. Blvd.); Faculty Staff Clinic; The Betty Shirley Clinic; The Psychology Clinic (located at the McMillan Building off Hackberry Lane, building #1401, University of Alabama; Counselor Education, 3rd floor Graves Hall, Room 318. Services are provided by mental health faculty and students from the College of Community Health Sciences, the School of Social Work, the Capstone College of Nursing, and the College of Education. UA Students will continue to be seen by: Counseling Center and Student Health Center.
The University of Alabama is offering free counseling services to anyone affected by the storms in any capacity by calling Dr. Carmichael at 348-6010.
AMERICAN RED CROSS ASSISTANCE LINE:
Call 1-800-REDCROSS for disaster victims to notify Red Cross as to what their needs are. They will send out hotshot crews to see you. Services could include health and mental health to food and other services needed.
SPANISH SPEAKING ASSISTANCE:
Spanish speaking residents needing help should call 770-216-4989.
BLOOD DRIVES:
DCH in Northport is doing a blood drive tomorrow (Tuesday) from 11-4 bring you r id
Northridge Fitness is doing a blood drive Monday – Thursday from 10-4
HELP FROM OUTSIDE WEST ALABAMA:
While offers of help are greatly appreciated from all who have reached out to the West Alabama community, local law enforcement is asking for individuals from outside West Alabama to not come to the area for approximately 72 hours due to road conditions. For more information, please contact the City of Tuscaloosa's volunteer line at 205-248-5045. Please contact 2-1-1 if you have non-monetary donations for West Alabama for instructions on getting these donations to the area. Also, monetary donations are greatly appreciated at www.uwwa.org/donatenow.html.
For more information about the ways to give and get help, call 2-1-1, United Way's Information & Referral line, or visit www.uwwa.org.