Birmingham, Alabama is full of heavy hearts after an outbreak of flooding and tornadoes tore through several communities Monday, April 28. Although “The Tragic City” is still recovering from the devastation, more hope and help is on the way.
Kimberly Lemke, a volunteer and Disaster Action Team member for the American Red Cross of Northwest Ohio, boarded a plane this morning to provide help and assistance to affected families. This is Kimberly’s 12th deployment as a volunteer and she will join other Red Cross volunteers from across the nation for around a period of around two weeks. She will help organize volunteers, make certain everyone is in the right place where they can help the most, ensure families have a place to stay, help with damage assessment, and more.
“I don’t think you can see a disaster like this and not want to help,” said Kimberly in an interview with The Toledo Blade.
This will be Kimberly’s second trip to Alabama in disaster recovery having previously visited Tuscaloosa in 2011 after their tornado tragedies took place. The Toledo native has also helped out previously with Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Irene, and started her volunteer services on 9/11. We wish her safe travels and look forward to her assistance to the families of Birmingham.
You can help those affected now by donating online, calling 1 800 RED CROSS, texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation, or mailing a donation form.
Make sure you and your loved ones are prepared for disaster by downloading our mobile apps.
American Red Cross Northwest Ohio Region Blog 