Former Ballardite creates site to help rebuild Alabama

Last week nearly 200 tornadoes tore through the south killing hundreds of people. One tornado in particular hit the city of Birmingham, Alabama, where Jordan Van Horn and his wife Caitlin now live. They moved to his wife’s home city just four weeks ago after living in Ballard for three years.

“The main tornado that came through Birmingham and caused most of the widespread damage, was about 5 miles from our house; close enough that we were holed up in the basement as the storm passed but far enough away that there is no damage to our house or neighborhood,” Jordan emailed us.

Caitlin is a graphic designer and has, for the last week, been designing a site called Shelter for the South. “Our desire is for SFTS to be a conduit for local donation and volunteer opportunities where people can offer their time and resources for those in deepest need,” Caitlin writes. “We have also set up a donation site through FirstGiving, proceeds going to The Red Cross. Whether or not you are able to give we ask that you join us in fervent prayer for the families who have lost everything, including their loved ones.”

“We realize that folks in Ballard more than likely won’t be able to volunteer their time but in the event they’d like to donate resources, here’s an opportunity,” Jordan writes.