February 23, 2023
More than a month after tornadoes ripped through Autauga County, Ala., killing 7 people and causing widespread destruction of property, many victims are still in need of the basic necessities of life.New Autauga County Tornado Relief Effort Launched - Accepting Donations Now through March 1 at ASU; Victims of the Storm are Still in Need!- Alabama State University in partnership with Montgomery County and Citizens That Care, Inc.
By Kenneth Mullinax/ASU
Alabama State University is responding to those needs by assisting with efforts already being conducted by Montgomery County and Citizens That Care, Inc.
Dr. Malinda Swoope, ASU’s vice president of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, is coordinating the ASU disaster response initiative under the University’s “CommUniversity” umbrella, an initiative President Quinton T. Ross, Jr., has advanced to represent ASU’s partnership with and impact outside of campus boundaries. Swoope also served as the coordinator of ASU’s recent Selma relief effort in conjunction with State Rep. Patrice “Penni” McClammy and others.
"This time, ASU is proud to assist Citizens That Care, Inc. and the Montgomery County Government in launching a new tornado relief effort for the residents of several neighboring Autauga County communities due to the fact that the residents there are still in need of many basic necessities after being devastated on Jan. 12, when an EF3 strength cyclone hit hundreds of homes in the Autauga County areas of Old Kingston, Posey’s Crossroads, Brownstown, White City, Marbury and other areas, all of which saw extensive damage or total destruction to their residences and seven deaths due to the killer tornado,” Swoope said
NEW EFFORT LAUNCHED - DONATIONS ACCEPTED NOW - MARCH 1
Swoope is asking the public to donate items such as bottled water, toiletry items, first-aid kits, blankets, towels, toilet paper, bleach, batteries, cleaning supplies, feminine hygiene products and other basics.
Donated items may be dropped off at the second-floor of ASU's John Garrick Hardy Student Center in suite A2.15.
The items will be distributed on March 2, between 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., at the Old Kingston Community Park, 1313 County Road 21-North, Prattville, Ala.
"At Alabama State, President Ross believes there is no more meaningful task at hand than lifting up the many residents of Autauga County who are still mired in the wreckage of what was once their homesteads. It is our intent to lift them up," said Dr. Swoope.
News media contact: Kenneth Mullinax, 334-229-4104.
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