Gamma Phi Beta Sorority is saddened by the loss of a sister. Melanie “Nicole” Mixon, a 2010 initiate of Epsilon Lambda Chapter and junior at the University of Alabama, was a victim of the deadly storms that devastated Alabama last night. Condolence messages to Epsilon Lambda Chapter may be sent c/o:
Lauren Whitten, Gamma Phi Beta Sorority, P.O. Box 866269, Tuscaloosa, AL 35486.

Satellite images of Tuscaloosa, Ala., before and after the tornado

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationwo...6315.htmlstory

Satellite Images Show the Tornado Destruction - Interactive Feature - NYTimes.com
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2...ml#1-2-385-372

Why Were the Southern Tornadoes So Deadly?
http://www.source.ly/10ELX

The Tuscaloosa mayor was just on Anderson Copper 360 and reported 39 confirmed dead and 446 still missing in Tuscaloosa. They are bringing in cadaver dogs tomorrow. Please continue to pray for all those affected.

In a statement released today, Dr. Witt, UA's President, wrote, "Many of you have asked for additional ways you can help. Contributions to the UA Acts of Kindness Fund will be used to help UA students, faculty and staff who need assistance as a result of storm damage."

In addition to the UA Acts of Kindness Fund. Because so many are injured, one of the most critical needs is blood. It can be donated anywhere but designated for Tuscaloosa. Continued prayers are with the entire area hit by these storms but most especially Tuscaloosa.

Really? Then I'm off to the blood bank when they open today.


ETA: just did it, never let it be said that I wouldn't shed my blood for the SEC.

All KDs are safe.

Blood is always needed and is often not thought about when natural disasters occur. DONATE! Your donation can save up to three lives. It only takes an hour out of your day!

P.S. Carnation, you are a true fan.

AND! They give you free cookies! What's not to like?

And juice boxes! How often do you get to have juice boxes as an older kid?

Not today! They hurried everyone out the door at 1:00, obviously anxious to get on with their weekend since they were locking the doors as we were stepping out.

So no juice box or cookies, although we did get pretty blue and brown donor shirts.

From UA Greek Relief's twitter: "7,500 hot plates made, 300 volunteers, tens of thousands of $ in donated food, close to 2000 large cans of food, 5000 diapers, etc."

The DKE house is taking donations and volunteers...see UA_Greek_Relief on Twitter for more info.

Once, I got a coupon for a free pie Banana Cream Pie from Perkins, in addition to cookies. Giving blood is worth the price of admission.

My son read an earlier message on Facebook concerning UA Greek Relief and went out and gathered donations. We're spending the night in Prattville and will go into Tuscaloosa in the morning to deliver to the DKE house. We're hoping we can spend a couple of hours working before we have to drive home tomorrow afternoon.

Awesome! They're tweeting this morning that they do need donations and that they definitely need people to help today. They've requested industrial size trash bags, ponchos, batteries, and flashlights. Beta is also distributing today it appears.

Seriously, anyone out there that can help in any way...please, please, please do. You can give blood and designate it for tornado-struck areas, give money to the Red Cross, send donations, foster a displaced animal until its owner can be found, and help by volunteering. Small communities are especially desperate. Yesterday I heard Brookwood and other small communities around Birmingham have had little to no help on site...it's probably the same for the small towns outside of Tuscaloosa. Just google pictures of the tornados down here and you'll understand...there are a lot of desperate people out there.

ETA:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5223/...dd056206_z.jpg
Tuscaloosa
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5027/...983a23d3_z.jpg
Tuscaloosa
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5301/...283ae00c_z.jpg
Tuscaloosa
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5106/...9afbe587_z.jpg
Tuscaloosa
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5185/...ca74c584c2.jpg
Alberta
http://media.al.com/birmingham-news/...5-standard.jpg
Pratt City
http://media.al.com/birmingham-news/...1-standard.jpg
Concord

Pictures are from the Crimson White and al.com

Also just found this and had to add it...from Alabama Power's Flicker:
http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpic/phot...j9h%2BhuFjw%3D
That is a CONCRETE transmission pole.

This is so sad. One of our sisters has been in touch with an Epsilon Lambda sister, and we were told that Nicole was found in the rubble by her best friend, 24 hours after the storm began. I know she is in our thoughts and prayers, as are her family and friends.

As a memorial, we are all wearing black and pink ribbons with our badges on Monday. I encourage all Gamma Phis to do the same.