Mo Brooks, SBA, FEMA & Red Cross Holding Town Halls Today

by: mooncat

Sat May 07, 2011 at 08:33:34 AM CDT

Rep. Mo Brooks, along with a panel from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Red Cross, will hold town hall meetings today to provide information on federal disaster assistance available to those who sustained losses due to the April 27 storms.

"I urge tornado victims to attend these meetings to better understand their federal assistance rights," said Brooks. "Some of it is in the form of loans, SBA long term low interest loans but there are also direct grants that you do not have to repay if you qualify, unemployment compensation, rents as you try to find a new place to live."

Rep. Brooks seems to have undergone a shift in his thinking toward federal assistance.  Last week I heard him say his office was working to make sure Tennesee Valley residence got all the help to which they were "entitled" and now he's talking about "rights" to federal assistance.  Will praising the social safety net be next for Mo Brooks? 

Town Halls will be at the following locations (all in Alabama!):

• 9:00 am - Pisgah High School Cafeteria, 60 Metcalf Street, Pisgah, AL 35765
  
  
• 11:30 am - Monrovia Community Center, 254 Allen Drake Drive, Huntsville, AL 35806
  
  
• 2:30 pm - Tanner High School, 12060 Sommers Road, Tanner, AL 35671
  
  
• 4:30 pm - Lawrence County Courthouse, 14330 Court Street, Moulton, AL 35650

Cong. Terri Sewell to Hold Disaster Assistance Meetings in Tuscaloosa, Sawyerville & Birmingham

by: mooncat

Fri May 06, 2011 at 10:30:00 AM CDT

Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D, AL-07) has scheduled Disaster Assistance Meetings in Tuscaloosa, Sawyerville and Birmingham to inform families, faith-based leaders and non-profit organizations, as well as local and state elected officials about the disaster declaration process and specifically how communities and families can register for and receive disaster assistance.

Representatives from the Office of Governor Bentley, the Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, The Red Cross, The Salvation Army and the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships will be in attendance to provide vital information.

Invitees:  Affected Individuals and Families, Faith Based and Community Leaders, Non-Profit Organizations, Local, State and Federal Elected Officials

What:  Meeting to Discuss How to Receive Federal Disaster Assistance

Tuscaloosa:

When:  Friday, May 6, 2011, 5 pm - 6:30 pm

Where:  St. John's Baptist Church, 1801 10th Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401-4823

Sawyerville:

When:  Saturday, May 7, 2011, 5 pm - 6:30 pm

Where:  Sawyerville Community Volunteer Fire Department, Alabama Highway 14 West, Sawyerville, AL

Birmingham:

When:  Monday, May 9, 2011, 6 pm - 8 pm

Where:  Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, 316 Avenue U (Pratt City), Birmingham, AL 35214 

Charlie Sheen Using Notoriety for Good

by: mooncat

Wed May 04, 2011 at 11:47:09 AM CDT

Charlie Sheen visited Tuscaloosa a couple of days ago to raise awareness of the destruction there.  There were unverified twitter reports that he had contributed a large sum of money but that was later downgraded to flashlights.  Now Sheen, who tweeted "You need help. I'm bringing it." has launched Torpedos Against Tornadoes, a website "aimed at restoring hope, faith and healing" to the tornado victims.  Contributions made through the site will go to victims of the 4/27/11 storms.

Of course, you can also contribute through the Red Cross or the many other relief organizations listed on Alabama Possible's How You Can Help page, a great resource that includes donation links, drop off locations across the state and volunteer opportunities.  Notoriety helps, but it's not required to help those in need.