Alabama Details

Have had many people ask for details  Here you go:

1. We will be working in Alabama for at least 2 weeks, but people can come and help for as short of time as they want. We will get there on the 17th. We will be leaving Memorial Day (but this MAY be extended).
2. We are staying at the Wesley Center adjacent to the University of Alabama. The address is 505 9th Street Tuscaloosa, AL 35401.   They do have some showers.  Sleeping arrangements will be sleeping bags.  There is a nearby Catholic church as well for those who would like to go to Mass.
3. If you are flying in, fly into Birmingham  airport.  We can arrange transportation to and from the airport.
4. There is a chance we will be working in a few surrounding communities as well, but it depends on the number of volunteers we get and the amount of transportation we have.
5. Food is included.  You will have to buy a t-shirt so we can all identify ourselves. The cost is $5.  If you would like a second shirt, it will cost $10.
6. Vans will leave SBU on Monday the 16th at 8AM (we will need help packing them on the 15th after graduation).  
7. Please take work clothes: boots are required.  We also encourage you to being work gloves.  All volunteers must have had a tetanus shot in the last 7 years. 
8. Transportation will be an issue, so if you are meeting us in Alabama and can help drive, that would be great!
9. You will want some spending money for there and in transport.
10. The first van will leave to go back on Sunday.  It will turn around and come back to Alabama on the Monday the 23rd.
11. If you want to stay longer, we can arrange places for you to stay after we leave.

What to bring:
Space in vans may be tight, this is not an exhaustive list, but here are some recommendations:

1. A good attitude--by far the most important.  We want hard working and flexible people who want to help.  It will be fun even though it won't go as planned.
2. Work clothes (jeans, long sleeve tee, short sleeve tee, sweatshirt, workboots (ideally steel toed).
3. Gloves--leather is best IMO
4. Sun glasses/safety goggles
5. Sleeping bag (pillow if you want one--yoga block works great and is smaller)
6. Flashlight
7. Phone charger
8. Digital camera, charger
9. Towel
10. Toiletries etc (contacts, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc)
11. Water bottle
12. Granola bars etc for drive

Related articles

• SEC pledges $500,000 for University of Alabama (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Tuscaloosa Twisters: RAW VIDEOS OF KILLER TORNADOS IN ALABAMA. At least 70 people are dead. INCREDIBLE DESTRUCTION ALL OVER THE SOUTH (economy4abc.blogspot.com)
• University of Alabama students return home to Cary (charlotte.news14.com)
• Universities offer help for Tuscaloosa (seattletimes.nwsource.com)

What to bring and necessary forms etc

A few administrative details:


All volunteers have three forms that need to be filled out:

Necessary forms 1, 2, 3.

I was asked by a volunteer about what to bring on the trip. Here is my list and the list from our host The Church of Christ Response team.

My list:

What to bring:

1. A good attitude
2. Work clothes (jeans, long sleeve tee, short sleeve tee, sweatshirt, workboots (ideally steel toed).
3. Gloves--leather is best IMO
   
4. Sun glasses/safety goggles
   
5. Sleeping bag (pillow if you want one--yoga block works great and is smaller)
6. A pair of shorts would not be a bad idea
7. Flashlight
8. cell phone charger
9. digital camera
   
10. warm clothes to sleep in
11. towel
12. toiletries etc (contacts, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc)
    
13. water bottle
14. Sun tan lotion (yes I know it is January, but if you are out all day and not used to it, you will want it!)
15. granola bars etc--
16. running clothes
    

We will stop at a grocery store the first day so you do not need to get everything on the plane
A limited amount of money will be needed for when we stop on the trip and if we get a chance to go sightseeing on 1/2 day.

There are shower facilities and a place to do laundry.

Should have had a tetanus shot within 5 years.


and from Laura at the Church of Christ Disaster Response team:
"

Our location is the Community Center - 105 Parkside Dr. , Bridge City , Texas .

We're looking forward to working with you and we've got everything ready and waiting for you to arrive.

Don't forget to make sure your tetanus shot is up to date.

Items that you will need to bring with you are:

Sleeping bag (we do have some available. Please call before coming to see if there are any available for your scheduled time)

Pillow

Toiletry items

Long pants

Hard soled shoes

Good Attitude

Patience

Smile

We are praying for safe travels for you!"

and from the introductory letter:

"Thank You !!

We appreciate the time you’re taking to be a part of the Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team! (DRT)

You’re help here is very needed and so much appreciated!

The following is some information we’d like you to know. These things will help the work here go more smoothly when we all work together. 

When you arrive:
* Please pick up a T-Shirt. We ask for a $5. donation just to cover the cost of the shirts however, if you are not able to give a donation that is fine, we’d still like you to have a shirt. It helps those in the communities we are working in to know we’re from the Church of Christ.
* Please pick a “Team Leader” for your group. This person will meet with one of the coordinators each evening in the designated area at approx. 7:30 pm to go over work accomplished and prepare for the next day.

Meals:
* Help yourself to snacks from the snack table at any time.
* Continental Breakfast is available from 6:00am – 7:00am
* Lunch will be served here at the community center at noon.
* Evening meals are provided by DRT at 6:00 pm. we work very hard to provide this for you so PLEASE try to return to the building in time to eat. If you are going to eat out, please let us know the day before so we can plan for that.
* Please clean up after yourselves. Please make sure to throw away any cups, plates, etc. that you’ve used and please keep your dorm room clean."

Hope this helps answer some of your questions