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Sen. Rob Stewart, who represents Selma in the state legislature, said he is very grateful for the outpouring of support the community has received.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m grateful that the governor moved swiftly and the president as well with disaster declarations,\u201d he said. \u201cLocal officials are on the ground making sure our citizens\u2019 needs are met. This is going to be a long, yet persistent road to recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Stewart said that even though there wasn\u2019t loss of life in Selma, livelihoods have been decimated.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe will need support long after the camera crews are gone,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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Specifically, residents need help removing debris and trees from their yards and homes, he said.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe need chainsaw crews,\u201d he said. \u201cWe had a request this morning from an 85-year-old lady who had a tree fall on her home and needs it removed. No one had come to help her yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Stewart said there is a need for folks to help faith-based organizations who are providing warm meals since a lot of residents lost their perishable food for the month due to power outages and destruction from the tornado. Additionally, Stewart said with school being out, that puts children at risk of being hungry since a lot of students in Selma receive their meals solely from school.\u00a0First Baptist Church on MLK<\/a>\u00a0is providing hot meals daily.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There is a huge need for baby formula, adult and baby diapers, he said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe have a lot of vulnerable people,\u201d he said. \u201cFrom our elderly to our students who are out of school.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Stewart said another immediate need is for people to help provide laptops and hotspots for locals who need to fill out FEMA relief applications. Those who are able to provide laptops and hotspots are needed for the weekend and weeknights since many residents have gone back to work.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Stewart said help is also needed for the Beloit area right outside of Selma who also sustained heavy damage.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Donations can be taken to Selma High School or to City of Selma Command Center at the George Evans Reception Center.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe need water, snacks and other non-perishable food,\u201d Stewart said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Knights & Orchids Society\u00a0<\/a>has been busy giving out food, baby supplies such as diapers and wipes, and water at their location at 17 Broad Street in Selma.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe are providing diapers, formula, toiletries, cases of water and cleaning supplies,\u201d said Jennine Bell, finance and operations director for TKO Society. \u201cWe are also helping people without power get access to generators or hotels if their home was destroyed. The city also needs volunteers cleaning up and cutting down trees.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Donations are needed to continue assistance in the community. To donate, click\u00a0here<\/a>. To reach out to TKO Society for assistance, call 334-603-1716.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Black Belt Community Foundation<\/a>\u00a0is also working with the city of Selma to help with disaster relief.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Funds raised through the Black Belt Community Foundation will help displaced residents find alternative shelter options, provide food, water, clothing, secure broken windows and buildings, and medical and mental health attention. The funds will also help with rebuilding after the cleanup is complete in Selma.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe are asking for your support and investment in Selma and across Dallas County to provide relief to those impacted by the destruction,\u201d said Doran K. Harris, communication and public relations spokesperson for the Black Belt Community Foundation. \u201cThis includes direct services to those in immediate need, data collection, encompasses the process of redevelopment for housing and local businesses, ensuring that local people are able to stay and prosper in their own community without fear of displacement or gentrification. In addition to the direct services and redevelopment, funding is needed to ensure that throughout the process \u2018beloved community power building\u2019 is taking place to create solutions rooted and grounded in the needs identified by the people of the community and their unified vision.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n To donate, click\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Other disaster relief efforts include:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Central Alabama Community Foundation<\/a>\u00a0is teaming up with WSFA to host a Central Alabama Tornado Relief Drive on Wednesday, January 18, from 6 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. You can donate by texting ALRelief to 44321.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The United Way of Central Alabama<\/a>\u00a0is also collecting donations to help those affected by the tornado. It has been reported that some 50 homes were destroyed by the tornado. The United Way of Central Alabama is working with the\u00a0United Way of Selma & Dallas County<\/a>\u00a0to help collect donations. To donate click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0or or text SELMA to 62644.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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