Georgians look for ways to help tornado survivors

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By Shelia M. Poole

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Mitchell Shiver was stunned by the images of splintered homes and people sifting through rubble for lost possessions.

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Hosea Feed the Hungry is collecting items such as bottled water and clothing for Tuscaloosa and North Georgia. Reggie Smith, left, and Ralph Pitts stack bottled water that will be delivered to those who are affected by the storms.

Vino Wong, vwong@ajc.com Hosea Feed the Hungry is collecting items such as bottled water and clothing for Tuscaloosa and North Georgia. Reggie Smith, left, and Ralph Pitts stack bottled water that will be delivered to those who are affected by the storms.

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He immediately started collecting items to take to Ringgold, which was one of the areas of Georgia hardest hit by this week's storms.

"To me it's just a call of the Gospel of Jesus," said Shiver, who lives in Gwinnett County. "I felt compelled to respond and to try to do something. I just feel like it shows people God loves them. A lot of people want to do something and they just don't do it. I don't have all the answers but I know I can do something."

Shiver hopes to fill his white cargo van with bottled water, batteries, flashlights, work gloves, generators, tents, chainsaws and anything else he can collect and take it to North Georgia this weekend. He said those wishing to donate can contact him via his Twitter account at @mitchellshiver.

Gov. Nathan Deal declared a state of emergency covering several Georgia counties, including Catoosa, which was pummeled by the storms. Across the South, the death toll is in the hundreds, and many communities are still trying to assess the damage and needs, which may slow relief efforts. Volunteer groups have been asked to postpone going into Alabama until the situation is more stable.

In DeKalb County, the Baitul Salaam Network, a nonprofit that does domestic violence awareness and community outreach, is standing by with toiletries, food, clothing and other items needed to help people rebuild. Co-founder Hadayai Majeed said the organization is looking for volunteers to drive to stricken areas and to make donations for gas.

"We're waiting to hear from someone to tell us where to go," she said. "We've gotten a couple of calls but they don't have the logistics in place."

To volunteer or donate, call 770-255-8500.

The American Red Cross is providing shelters and meals for storm survivors. The greatest need right now is for monetary donations, said spokesman Ruben Brown.

"The needs change as the disaster unfolds," he said.

Contributions can be sent to American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

People can go to www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS to make credit-card donations. They also can text redcross to 90999 to make an automatic $10 donation.

Elsewhere, churches, businesses and organizations are gearing up to help or waiting to see what the needs are in hard-hit areas:

The March of Dimes is mobilizing its network of volunteers and sponsors to help pregnant women and families with infants cope with the aftermath of the storm. March for Babies walkers Saturday are asked to bring diapers, hand sanitizer and powdered formula to any of the metro Atlanta March for Babies sites. For locations check www.marchofdimes.com/georgia and go to the events section.
The North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church is asking members to make a special offering to help disaster response. According to the conference’s website, offerings can be made at church or mailed to the North Georgia Conference Treasurer’s Office, marked 3740 North Georgia Conference Disaster Relief, at 4511 Jones Bridge Circle, Norcross, GA 30092.

Starting Saturday, Kroger shoppers can round up their purchases to the nearest dollar to directly benefit the American Red Cross relief efforts.

At Publix Super Markets customers can donate any amount by adding it to their grocery total when checking out. Collected money will be channeled through the Red Cross and designated specifically for the Southern storms disaster relief efforts. In a separate donation, Publix Super Markets Charities is contributing $100,000 to the Red Cross.

The Pickens County Sheriff's Office is collecting bottled water, nonperishable foods, soap, shampoo and tarps. People can donate those items at the headquarters at 2985 Camp Road in Jasper. For information call 706-253-8900.
Donations also can be made to the Salvation Army. To donate go to www.salvationarmy-georgia.org.