• Mark Jones

The Salvation Army partnering with T-Shirt designer to support Alabama tornado relief

Tuscaloosa, Ala.. (June 3, 2011) The Salvation Army is partnering with Alabama T-shirt designer Paradise Designs to raise awareness and funds  for continued disaster relief and recovery operations in Alabama.

Dell Paradise, owner of Birmingham based Paradise Designs has created multiple designs reflecting the spirit and heart of Alabama. One design especially highlights the Alabama/Auburn rivalry as “Rivals on the Field, Partners in Recovery.

T-shirts may be viewed and purchased at www.tornadorelieftees.com.

The Salvation Army is extremely grateful to Paradise Tees and Dell Paradise for sharing her talents and treasures to meet the needs of those affected by the April tornado. This partnership is a testimony to the true heart and love of Alabama residents in meeting the needs of their neighbors,” stated Maor Michael Morton, Incident Commander for The Salvation Army’s relief efforts in Tuscaloosa.

Immediately following the storms, The Salvation Army responded throughout the Tuscaloosa area providing hot meals, hydration, and pastoral care to residents and first responders.  Seven mobile feeding units and over 40 staff and volunteers have provided hot meals, snacks and emotional and spiritual care to area residents.

To assist with the transition from immediate- to long-term recovery for survivors of the April 27 tornado outbreak in Tuscaloosa, The Salvation Army continues to operate a disaster distribution center to provide free counseling, one-time limited financial assistance, in-kind assistance (food, hygiene products, baby items, etc.) to individuals and families most affected by the storms and still struggling to acquire those basic essentials.

The distribution center located at the former Goody’s location at McFarland Mall is available on a walk up basis to give tornado survivors an individualized experience that is respectful of their time.  Thanks to volunteer support, clients can sit comfortably with a caseworker while volunteers “shop” for their needs in the warehouse portion of the center.

The distribution center is open from 9:00a.m. - 3:00p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Additionally, The Salvation Army continues to provide feeding services to residents at The Salvation Army on Greensboro Ave. and at McFarland Mall. Accompanying each crew is an emotional and spiritual care team to minister to the stress that many residents continue to face as they continue the recovery and rebuilding process.

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About The Salvation Army:

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since 1865. Nearly 33 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year. The Salvation Army provides food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, and outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing, shelter and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 83 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 9,000 communities nationwide. For more information go to http://www.salvationarmyusa.org, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY, or send a check to your local Salvation Army earmarked for disaster relief.