FROM THE FRONT LINES OF THE DEVASTATION
Dear Friends, Family & Colleagues:
“This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples - when they see the love you have for each other." John 13:35
PLEASE FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW WHO MIGHT BE WILLING TO HELP.
If you want to help get supplies to the front lines, now is your chance. Many people want to help but they don’t know exactly what to do. The purpose of this post is to tell you what you can do today to help.
I spent Friday afternoon delivering a trailer full of supplies and other items to the hardest hit area up highway 78 near Pratt City and surrounding areas. This morning (Saturday) I spent delivering more supplies on the ground and driving through neighborhoods (as you can see in the attached picture) providing basic life necessities (water, food, etc) to those in need.
Doris, our nanny, lived in the area near Pratt City/Forestdale and I have attached a picture of her house which was completely destroyed. It is ONLY by the Grace of God that she is still alive today and that I was able to put my hands on her this morning and hug her and tell her how much I love her. Only a short time before her house was destroyed with she and her mother huddled in the hall in a small pocket of room God prepared for them, Doris was with us taking care of our beloved Jay and Forrest.
There are many, many good people on the ground working there and all over the State of Alabama and other states impacted by these storms. Pastor White and Pastor Eric Harris of local churches are on the ground near Pratt City doing God’s work showing these people how much they are loved. That is what they need most today and for the coming weeks and months. I have asked the questions to the people on the ground what they need most and the list is below – Friday afternoon we had lots of water and supplies and toiletries but we needed zip lock and other small bags to package the items in – this morning we were able to deliver close to 10,000 bags to the relief command center where all of the items are being sorted and distributed.
I met up with and had a great conversation this morning with Birmingham Police Chief A. C. Roper. My question to him was “what do you need the most right now for your officers and other personnel and what can I provide you with in the future that will help you and your officers that are here on the ground.” Those officers and other emergency personnel have to be fed and hydrated 24/7 and most are working double shifts and this will likely go on for weeks, if not months. I have included the list below.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP US HELP THEM
FOR THE POLICE OFFICERS/EMERGENCY PERSONNEL: Gatorade (20 oz and smaller bottles), Powerade (20 oz and smaller bottles), Propel Water, Coke, Diet Coke, Mt. Dew, Dr. Pepper, hand-sanitizer (small containers that fit in their pocket), energy bars, power bars, etc.
FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE TORNADOS
Items Needed – URGENT NEED RIGHT NOW – baby food, baby formula, diapers, wipes, Wet Ones, plastic bags to be used to assemble care packages.
Bottled Water; Gatorade/Powerade; Non-Perishable Snacks and Food Items; Diapers; Baby Wipes; Baby Formula; Socks; Shoes; Tooth Brush; Tooth Paste; Towels; Paper Towels; Bath Soap; Deodorant; Hand Soap; Comb/Brush; Wet Wipes; Hand Sanitizer; Bandages; Aspirin; Tylenol; Medical Tape; Sterile Gauze; Antiseptic Wipes; Antibiotic Cream; Blankets; Wal-Mart Gift Cards any amount - $10, $15, $20, $25, etc.
If you don’t have time to purchase the items and you still want to help, please see instructions below to donate via paypal, cash or gift cards and we will be glad to purchase the items for you and deliver them to the hardest hit areas. All of these people out there need our love now more than ever and it is amazing how far a little will go.
DONATE ITEMS – DELIVER TO THIS ADDRESS AND PLACE IN THE TRAILER IN THE DRIVEWAY OR NEAR THE FRONT PORCH
991 Cobble Creek Drive (Carrie’s parents’ house)
Hoover, AL
Directions: Columbiana Road – Turn onto Tyler Road; Cobble Creek up the hill from Columbiana approx. 1.5 miles on the right; 991 is the 4th or 5th house on the right.
DROP OFF ITEMS/CHECKS/CASH/GIFT CARDS AT MY OFFICE DURING THE WEEK (9am to 4pm);
Kreps Law Firm, LLC - 502 Montgomery Highway, Suite 202, directly across from Vestavia Hills City Hall. Place them in the foyer or up the side stairs to the right of the front door.
MAIL CHECKS TO THE OFFICE TO BE USED TO PURCHASE ITEMS:
Payable to Carrie Kreps or Joseph Kreps
Kreps Law Firm, LLC
502 Montgomery Highway, Suite 202
Birmingham, AL 35216
DONATE VIA PAYPAL
Donate money via Paypal to be used to purchase items –
Go to www.paypal.com and send donations to carriekreps@bellsouth.net . Every single penny (AND MORE) will be used to help these people on the ground TODAY!
Thank you for anything that you can do to help us help them. Even 10 bottles of Gatorade will help or a donation of $20.
If you want to help on the ground, please email me back or call me or send me a text message and I can put you to work with the people on the ground assisting with relief and helping people sort through their belongings and their destroyed houses – THIS NEED IS IMMEDIATE BECAUSE IT IS SUPPOSE TO RAIN IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. I have attached directions on how to get there and all you have to do is show up and ask to see Pastor White or Pastor Eric Harris and everyone knows them and they will put you to work.
Thank you.
In Him,
