Forsaken Generation

Bringing Hope and Love to Tuscaloosa

 
*A note being handed out by a young girl to tornado victims

The relief efforts in Alabama have just begun. Food, water, clothes and basic supplies are making their way into Tuscaloosa and other affected areas each day. And while they can still use more of all of these things, sometimes the intangible needs are often overlooked, mainly because it’s hard to package a hug and send it across the country.

Forsaken Generation is helping with relief efforts in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and by far one of the biggest needs we are seeing, is just a kind, encouraging word for those who are affected. Thousands have lost their homes and belongings. Many have lost loved ones in an instant, rocking them to their core. While food, shelter and clothing is absolutely necessary, sometimes just knowing that someone is there for them and thinking about them can help more than any basic necessity can.

So we’re asking people all over the country to pour some love out on the people of Alabama. And Forsaken Generation will help deliver that Note of Love and that “virtual hug” if you will. We’ll be taking everyone’s comments from forsakengeneration.com/helpforalabama/notesoflove and will be printing them out and hand delivering these notes of encouragement, love and hope to affected families. We want them to know that there are people all over thinking about them, praying for them and sending whatever help they can, even if it’s just in the form of an encouraging word.

Please help us spread the word. Tweet, blog, facebook – even send a video. The more encouraging notes we can send the more hope we’re infusing into these hardest hit areas.

Thank you!

Click here to send a Note of Love!

 

1,142 Homeless Families staying in Tuscaloosa Shelters

Our team just arrived in Tucaloosa, AL  yesterday and after driving around it is honestly worse than I ever imagined. 

I'm going to be pretty simple and to be the point here. I know most of you reading this are aware of the damage caused by the Tornadoes. Many of you I'm sure have seen pictures, watched videos etc.

We've talked to people who had family members literally sucked out of the house while they watched. One man was in the bathroom with his 9 year old daughter. He put her in the bathtub hoping she'd be safe. The tornado sucked the bathtub right out of the house with the girl in the tub.  The stories we've heard are heartbreaking. But amongst the heartbreak, there is a sense of hope. We visited an area called Rosedale Courts and watched as the police patroled the area with cadavar dogs to find bodies that were buried under the rubble. We met with a young man named Brandon, he stood in his neighborhood looking at what use to be his home. His neighbor was killed, he told us he was so thankful to be alive. "It's by the grace of God that I'm standing here." Brandon said.

There is a community center here in Tuscaloosa called the Belk Center and they have been turned into a temporary emergency shelter. The family homeless shelter that is here and run by the Salvation Army was completely destroyed. 

If you are reading this, we are asking that you please consider helping these families. You may not live in Alabama, you may not even live close. But regardless of location we are all in this together. These families have not only lost their homes, they have lost everything.

We are working with the Salvation Army, the Red Cross and One Place here in Tuscaloosa to meet the needs of these families. Here is a list of the current needs:

1. Non perishable food items
2. Cleaning supplies
3. Pillows, blankets, towels
4. Can openers
5. Underwear
6. Toiletries
7. Backpacks (clear or mesh)
8. School supplies
9. Walmart Gift Cards
10. Baby items (Diapers, lotion, wash items, formula)

If you live in the Tuscaloosa are the Salvation Army is in HUGE need of a warehouse to store donated items in. 

You can do one of 2 things, if you visit www.forsakengeneration.com and click on the donate now button, 100% of all donations will go towards purchasing these supplies. If you live in the area and want to bring these items somewhere you can drop them off at One Place, the address is 870 Redmont Drive Tuscaloosa, AL 35404

Or you can bring donations to 618 14th St. Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 (Child Abuse Prevention Services of Tuscaloosa)

I can't begin to tell each of you how great the needs are and I thank everyone who is willing to partner with us and make a difference in the lives of these families.

To ensure that we make the absolute best out of ALL donations, we are requiring that families sign up for help with their FEMA id number. The W. Alabama Coalition for the Homeless uses a system called HMIS, every item that we donate will be logged into this system to ensure people do not receive duplicate donations.  Our goal is to meet the needs of those who need it most and make the most out of your generous donations. 

Thank you, and God bless you,

Sean Wrench, Forsaken Generation

Join the movement www.forsakengeneration.com