Fund established for storm relief efforts
The tornadoes that tore through the area last Wednesday left a path of destruction that was felt throughout the South, and in particular, Alabama, with 36 of 67 counties now qualifying for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
For those in Franklin County, the tornado impact hit close to home with parts of Phil Campbell and East Franklin being totally devastated by the destruction and damage.
Agencies like the American Red Cross have been helping those affected by the storms and have been accepting generous donations by people all over the world who are wanting to help in any way they can.
But some people who had friends or family members affected here in Franklin County expressed concerns that, while the Red Cross is a worthy organization, the money they donated to the Red Cross might not get back to the area to help their friends and neighbors who have lost homes, businesses and loved ones.
To make sure there was a place where people could donate money and be assured 100 percent of that money would stay in Franklin County, the Franklin County Y.E.S. Foundation, a 501c(3) non-profit organization, has set up a fund at several area banks to make sure local residents receive the funding they need.
“Several members of the Y.E.S. Foundation talked over the weekend about what we could do because we were all hearing the same thing: people were wanting a place to donate where they could be sure the money would remain here,” Franklin County Probate Judge Barry Moore said.
“We got to work Monday morning and got the local banks involved and had the fund set up by Monday afternoon.”
The fund is called “Franklin County, Alabama Tornado Disaster Relief Fund” and the tax-deductible donations can be made at the following banks or any of their branches: Bank Independent, CB&S Bank, Community Spirit Bank, First Metro Bank and Valley State Bank.
Stratt Byars, president of the Franklin County Y.E.S. Foundation, said the fund would help meet the monetary needs that are present now as well as into the future.
“The outpouring of support these areas have received from the community is overwhelming; people have been so generous,” Byars said.
“Because of this abundance of support, the collection points have received all the clothes, food and other items that they can hold.
“Going forward, there are going to be many needs related to money because so many people lost everything they had. People who still have a desire to help can donate to this fund and know the money will go to help just like the water, batteries and canned goods did in the beginning.”
Moore pointed out that since the Y.E.S. Foundation is a non-profit organization, any donations made will be tax-deductible. He also said there will be no administrative fees, so all the money donated will go towards disaster relief.
“In order to set up donations like this, you have to go through a non-profit organization,” Moore said. “The Y.E.S. Foundation was already set up that way so it was a perfect fit in this situation. The Foundation is glad to help and do whatever they can.”
Byars said a committee consisting of members of the Y.E.S. Foundation and members of the communities needing disaster relief would be created to review the requests and send the money where it is needed the most.
“This fund will help people after all the volunteers who have been here to help have gone back to work,” Byars said.
“This fund will allow the support for these people to continue for a long time in the weeks and months ahead.”
