(May
2, 2011)
In
order to further improve the lines of communication and to respond to the
concerns between the National VA Council and you our members, I have
established a National VA Council Briefing. This NVAC Briefing will bring you
the latest news and developments within DVA and provide you with the current
status of issues this Council is currently addressing. I believe that this
NVAC Briefing will greatly enhance the way in which we communicate and the way
in which we share new information, keeping you better informed.
Alma
L. Lee
National
VA Council, President
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The
devastation is astonishing…homes and lives shattered by a swarm of tornados,
that battered 15 states, over a 3-day period.
The
storm system developed over the Pacific ocean and intensified over the Central
Plains. Over the 3-days in April, there were reports of funnel clouds in
Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, Illinois, Alabama, Mississippi, Missouri,
Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Louisiana, Virginia, and North & South
Carolina. Although tornado warnings were in effect, these states still
incurred lots of damage and lost lives. Teams are still assessing
the damage of these storms.
In
the aftermath of the tornadoes and severe storms that struck, volunteers and
relief organizations have set up websites and other avenues to reunite
survivors with loved ones and to collect donations for victims. Below
are some of the ways you can help, but are not limited to;
American
Red Cross 'Safe and Well'
Here you can register to let others know you are safe, or search for others
whom you are concerned about, provided they have registered their names.
American
Red Cross
The
American Red Cross has set up shelters to house people displaced by the
storms. They are also serving meals, offering clean-up supplies, and seeking
donations of blood.
®
You
can donate to the Red Cross online at redcross.org.
®
You
can also text REDCROSS to 90999 on your mobile phone to donate $10 to relief
efforts. The money will be billed to your wireless account.
®
Or,
call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) to give money or schedule a blood
donation.
Donations
are accepted by mail at:
American Red Cross
P.O. Box 4002018
Des Moines, IA 50340-2018
The
Salvation Army
The
Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services is providing food, drinks and
spiritual support to storm survivors in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee.
®
To
donate online, visit salvationarmyusa.org.
®
You
can also call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769) and designate "April 2011
Tornado Outbreak."
®
Text
"GIVE" to 80888 to make a $10 donation.
Checks
can be sent to:
Salvation Army Disaster Relief
P.O. Box 100339
Atlanta, GA
30384-0339
Alabama's
Emergency Relief Fund
The
Alabama Governor's Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives helps
residents, business’
and organizations when other avenues of
relief have been exhausted.
Visit
servealabama.gov
to give or volunteer.
Mississippi
Disaster Recovery Fund
The
governor's office has created the fund to serve as a clearinghouse for
donations and volunteer help.
Visit
mississippi.relief.com
to give or volunteer.
Volunteer
Opportunities
The
Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency, helps
coordinate community service and volunteer efforts throughout the country.
Visit serve.gov
for more information.
On
behalf of the AFGE/National VA Council, our thoughts and prayers go out to
everyone that has been affected by this terrible disaster and remain with all
those involved in the recovery and relief efforts!