When a University of Alabama student sent out a call for help after tornados devastated Alabama on April 27, people from her old schools in Morganton pitched in to help.
Their shipment of relief supplies went out last week.
Jordan Clay attends the university in Tuscaloosa, one of the cities hardest hit by the tornadoes. Growing up in Burke County, she previously attended Oak Hill Elementary School, Table Rock Middle School and Freedom High School.
All three of her former schools joined in the relief effort called the Morganton/Tuscaloosa Project.
The schools asked students, faculty and staff to bring in supplies such as water and non-perishable foods to help the storm victims in Tuscaloosa.
Clay initially notified the Anchor Club, a club focused on community service much like this relief effort. According to Ken Prichard, principal of Freedom High School, they “just ran with it.” The Anchor Club’s members notified the JROTC and the groups began spreading the news and trying to get people involved.
The three schools’ principals unanimously agree that helping with this type of effort is something that helps shape students in a positive way.
Jill King, principal of Oak Hill Elementary School, said it’s something she is always interested in getting her school involved in.
“Anytime we can do service projects it’s really important, and whenever we heard what was happening in Jordan’s community we thought it would be something good to get involved in,” King said.
She said this particular effort “hit home” for everyone at Oak Hill Elementary.
“She attended school here so it definitely gave us a link,” King said. “Oak Hill is such a caring community and we always try to give back whenever we can.”
“I think it is important for them (students) to see the picture of giving back to a community that has been hurt,” King said. “I think it’s important for them to see this as a project where they can give back and make a difference. If we were in the same situation we would want someone to help us.”
Prichard also said that this type of catastrophe makes you think about what you’d expect if this had happened in your community.
“I think it could be us next,” he said. “The weather has been so crazy and severe, and we’ve had our share of stuff here — not like they did, but it could come any time. So we try in a number of our programs to teach service learning and leadership.”
Prichard said he believes these types of efforts are perfect for the students at Freedom, because they already enjoy getting involved.
“Typically our kids will respond to any call for need if we just tell them what has happened,” Prichard said. “Some students and families are able to do more than others, but a majority of our kids understand helping people in a tight spot is important.”
Sharon Colaw, principal of Table Rock Middle School, said the students at Table Rock also benefit greatly from being involved with the relief effort.
“Supporting other communities gives our students a greater awareness of what other children and families may be experiencing,” Colaw said. “This teaches compassion, as well as challenges students to think more globally.”
According to an email from Clay, her father planned to deliver the supplies to Tuscaloosa on Friday. Efforts to reach the two by telephone were unsuccessful.
The West Alabama Chamber Foundation has created a fund for anyone who is interested in donating. Checks payable to Tuscaloosa Disaster Relief Fund may be mailed to West Alabama Chamber Foundation Inc.. P.O. Box 020410, Tuscaloosa, AL 33402.
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