Five Ways to Help Lee County Tornado Victims
Twenty-three people lost their lives and dozens more were injured in the powerful tornado that swept through Lee County Sunday. Many lost their homes, loved ones, and pets. Here are five ways to help those affected.
Update — March 22, 2019 – 3:00 p.m.
Donate Supplies or Money
You can donate perishable supplies at Greater Peace Baptist Church. Goree’s Furniture is taking items such as food, diapers and clothing. They’ll pick up the items.
Greater Peace Baptist Church: 650 Jeter Ave, Opelika, AL 36801
Goree’s Furniture: 334-742-0607
Want to give money? The Red Cross of East Alabama and the Salvation Army are accepting donations, and the United Way of Central Alabama created a disaster relief fund.
More options:
Samaritan’s Purse International Relief
Community Foundation of East Alabama Tornado relief
The Governor’s Emergency Relief Fund
Volunteer
Church of the Highlands is organizing volunteers to help those in need and to assist in clean up efforts. Text the word “response” to 74000 to get updates on ways to get involved.
Give Blood
The East Alabama Medical Center has treated more than 40 people after the tornado. You can make a blood donation through LifeSouth. The Opelika location is at 505 E Thomason Circle, 36801.
Help Lost or Displaced Pets
Opelika Animal Hospital is boarding displaced pets for free.
Help with Shelter Needs
Smith Station Fire & Rescue is distributing donations.
You can also follow the Lee County Emergency Management Agency on Twitter for volunteer and donation updates.
Know of more to add to the list? Let us know. Email [email protected].
The cookies that fueled votes for women
Suffragists didn't just march. They baked, held bake sales and sold cookbooks to raise money for the cause of equality.
Tanning bed users are at higher risk of skin cancer, especially in unusual places
Indoor tanning is trending among Gen Z. A new study finds tanning bed users not only have a much higher risk of melanoma, they also have DNA damage linked to cancer across nearly their entire skin.
Voices of experience and hope soar in a song to prevent suicide
"Hold the Hope" was sparked by one woman's experience as a caregiver to someone who survived suicidal struggles. It started as a poem that has become a film, a song and even a dance.
Gunmen kill 9 people at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, injuring 11 others
Two gunmen have shot dead nine people at Sydney's Bondi Beach, with eleven wounded, including two police officers. Police shot dead one gunman, second was arrested in critical condition.
US envoys arrive in Berlin for latest round of Ukraine peace talks with Zelenskyy
U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner will meet Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday, as Trump grows increasingly exasperated by delays.
With federal relief on the horizon, Black farmers worry it won’t come soon enough
At the National Black Growers Council meeting in New Orleans, Black farmers respond to the $12 billion in tariff relief announced by the Trump administration and outline challenges farms are facing.

