A tornado ripped through southeastern Alabama this week and killed 23 people. Natural disasters often bring out the best in people. People band together in wonderful ways. Chief among them in Alabama is the Poarch Band of Creek Indians tribe. They are making a $184,000 donation to cover funeral costs for those who died. The tribe doubled its donation after another group who had committed to donating money to victims families pulled out.
They posted this statement on Facebook.
The statement reads...
"The Tribe is making a $184,000 donation to the East Alabama Medical Center Foundation to assist in the burial of the victims from last Sunday's devastating tornado in Lee County, AL. It is at times of greatest need that we often see our communities coming together to help one another, this is one of those times. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected."
According to CNN...
"The money will be donated to the East Alabama Medical Center Foundation so that none of the money is spent on administration costs."
And the Lee County coroner Bill Harris stated...
"My goal was to be able to provide what the families wanted" for "this casket or this service without having to scrimp because they didn't have the money. These folks have stepped up for a community need, and I appreciate that."
The destruction from the tornado was devastating.
Devastating damage from the #tornado that struck #Alabama on March 3rd. Shown here are before and after images of t… https://t.co/gid2ZlcPEE— DigitalGlobe (@DigitalGlobe)1551914599.0
People thanked the Poarch Band of Creek Indians for their donation.
@CNN God bless them— Ella Williams (@Ella Williams)1552071333.0
@CNN Now that's #Patriotism— MIMI (@MIMI)1552072152.0
@CNN This is community. God bless Americans.— Coretta (@Coretta)1552071740.0
@CNN That’s so amazing and great of them to help like this .— Rich Hickey (@Rich Hickey)1552071121.0
Many people's hearts were warmed.
@CNN The kind of news that I love to hear 🤗— Rebecca Collins (@Rebecca Collins)1552071507.0
@CNN Bless these Native Americans for reaching into their spirits to help those who have lost their families. Thank… https://t.co/or1Ym4ygcm— Doc Bean (@Doc Bean)1552081224.0
@CNN What a wonderful thing to do. No one is ever prepared for disaster and to do this for these people lessens the… https://t.co/btA9G8yWzD— Carol Ford (@Carol Ford)1552074250.0
In times of crisis it's important to band together to help. The Poarch Band of Creek Indians is doing just that.