Samford student organizations,

Many organizations have recently updated their leadership in their Orgsync portal.  If you are among those student leaders, way to stay on top of things.  If you've not already done so, here at the steps to make sure your leadership contact information is up to date.

You  must be the administrator of your student organization to make these changes.  For this reason, we encourage multiple administrators to overlap each other.  Please make sure your organization advisor has registered in Orgsync and is listed as your advisor.  

Step One:

Go to Settings (if you do not see this on your organization portal, you are not currently the administrator)

Simply scroll through the information and make sure the correct leadership names/advisors are listed.

Make sure there is a welcome message on your Settings since prospective and newly admitted students review student organizations over the summer and will often contact organization leadership by the email you list as the contact for your organization.  

Step Two:

• Go to People.  
• Move members to alumni that have graduated.
• Invite your new members, choosing the correct category of membership 
• Invite any new advisor by email as well, choosing administrator category.
• Change any existing members to officers and/or administrators.

Step Three for Undergraduates:

Mark your calendars now for the Student Organization Fair on Thursday, September 5th.  

Add  dates and events to your organization calendar in Orgsync for members to know about, and mark any that are open to the entire campus as public so that your events are added to the campus life calendar.  

That's it!  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the Office of Campus Life at campuslife@samford.edu

Samford student organization leadership,
Chances are, you have seen the exciting changes with the new Samford website that launched earlier this fall. You may have also seen a number of flat screen monitors installed around campus that provide video, campus maps, calendar of events, and other helpful information about the Samford community. These two projects, are among many through the Office of Marketing and Communications that are intended to improve your Samford experience.

On the new Samford website, you now have the ability to choose your unique view as a current student, by selecting "I am a" at the top of the front webpage. By selecting this, you will see a link in the middle of the page to take you to a calendar of activities and programs specifically for you, the current student. This calendar of events is solely generated by you, the student organization leadership, as you place your events on the Samford Orgsync calendar within your respective student organization Orgsync portal. You have the option of keeping these events private only to the members of your student organization, or, selecting a public view so that the event is listed on the Samford community Orgsync calendar. If you are not already using Orgsync to register and promote your events, I would encourage you to do so.

In the coming weeks, you will hear more about the Office of Campus Life's efforts to showcase and recognize student organizations that show creativity in marketing their events, as well as recognize organization events that provide students with a positive and memorable campus life experience. Examples of how student organizations may be recognized might include: a commitment to community service engagement in the community, inviting a professor to a student organization event to speak or engage with students outside of their typical teaching role, or increasing understanding of your organization's purpose through a creative social or educational program. The point of this contest is to show the campus community your leadership and to show just how vibrant campus life is on Samford's campus through the student experience of over 100 student organizations. We look forward to watching for strong examples of this through your Orgsync marketing and event coordination in the coming months.

Please join me in thanking Chez Shaeffer, Director of Business Intelligence for Operations and Planning, for providing the October R25 university calendaring training workshops to student leaders. We will likely repeat this training late in spring 2013 to offer training to new student leadership after a majority of organizations turnover in leadership. As a reminder, registering your events in R25 is important because it is this calendar that lets Public Safety and Operations know when to keep doors unlocked as well as keep air and heat on for your events.  

Our next workshops will provide Orgsync training for student organization leadership, including organization advisors.  Mark your calendars now for Wednesday, November 7th for two available options 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm. in Library 040 lab.  Space is limited since this is a computer lab to registering for the event is important.  We strongly encourage multiple student leaders and advisors from each organization to participate.  

When you return from Christmas break, we will be offering marketing workshops to student organization leadership as well. Campus administrators in key departments such as Marketing and Communications will be engaged in these workshops to help you learn how to market your organization's activity in the most effective ways possible. We will also provide In Design training in the spring to teach you how to use basic graphic design templates for campus flyers and e-marketing promotions .

If there are other topics we can provide to you to help you make the most of your student organization experience, please let us know at campuslife@samford.edu. We are constantly evaluating our efforts to serve you and the workshops provided to you this year are directly linked to what you have requested.

We look forward to seeing you at the upcoming organization workshops and thank you for your student leadership!

Renie Moss 

Registered student organization leaders and advisors are invited to participate in this R25 Calendar Training workshop with Chez Shaeffer, Director of Business and Planning, in OPS. Chez will train you in how to use the R25 calendar to reserve campus space, check for space and event availability, and market your organization events through the Samford R25 calendaring system.

R25 use is only available to student leaders and advisors that attend one of these training dates and only for registered student organizations.Please make plans to attend on of these training sessions. We highly recommend at least two organization leaders attending this training to make sure your organization is readily able to reserved campus space.

There are three R25 Training Dates available through a quick registration.  Click EVENTS on your left hand navigation and select one of the three dates:  October 2nd, October 5th, or October 10th.

Did you know that the Samford University website is getting a complete overhaul?  In order for student activities and events to be highlighted and for your respective student organization events to get top notch marketing, make sure that your events, both large and small, are being posted in Orgsync.  If the event is open to the student body, make sure you select the "make public/post on the community calendar" button.  If you have a graphic or flyer to load, that helps make your event grab more attention and can be lifted to the Orgsync Banner when students first log into Orgsync.  From there the possibilities are endless.  Add an online registration form, a payment link for fee-based events, a pre-event evaluation, a post-event evaluation, etc.  

If you are using the Samford Mobile App, the Events tab in Orgsync will show all events  in your respective student organization calendar as well as those events that have been posted and are open to the entire student body.  Prospective students and your potential new organization members will go to this link to learn more about getting involved on campus

All of these efforts are a direct result of hearing from you, the Samford students, about what you want to see improved about campus communication, whether graduate or undergraduate.  

Additional training dates are going to be scheduled soon for organization leadership to be able to use the R25 Samford Calendar.  Revisions to that system are in the works through the Division of Operations and Planning.  Your Samford Campus Life Team will continue to communicate these efforts with you as we learn more in order to provide you with the ability to promote and manage your student organization efforts and programs.

If you ever have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.  Renie Moss is in UC 110 and can be contacted at rmoss@samford.edu.  Happy to meet with new leaders so make an appointment today and learn more about what Orgsync can be doing for your organization!  

So much has happened over the summer and much more in store for the fall.  Check out all the activities, events, and announcements as you return for the 2012-2013 year!  

In preparation for the 2012-2013 academic year, student organization leadership should look to renew their student organization recognition for the new year.  Your organization's portal has a renewal date stamp attached to it that will let you know if it has been a year since your last leadership officers renewed the organization.  Failure to renew your student organization's status each year will result in the organization becoming inactive, and ultimately at the end of an inactive year, the organization ceases to exist.  

In order to renew your student organization's recognition, simply go into your Settings, update your leadership contact information, load any revisions to your constitution and/or membership roster and that it!  A notification will come to Campus Life that the organization has renewed for the new year.  You are free and clear for another year unless you need to update additional information.

Only renewed student organizations may participate in the Fall Student Organization Fair, scheduled for Thursday, September 6th.  Registration for that event will come later in August once student organization leaders have had time to renew for the 2012-2013 year.  According to student organization recognition policies, only registered student organizations can reserve campus space and facilities.  Undergraduate student organizations that are not officially recognized for the 2012-2013 year will also be ineligible to solicit funding request through the SGA Senate. Notification of pending inactive organization status for student organizations that fail to renew for the new year will be send in August and copied to the last known student organization advisor.  

Things you can do over the summer in preparation for a great year for your student organization:

Make sure that your current members are members in your Orgsync organization portal and that they are in the correct account group (i.e. administrators have full access to all Orgsync abilities...officers...members...alumni - you can tailor their abilities in Settings).  The main reason you want them in your organization portal is to be able to communicate via email, news feed, text, etc, however your organization has decided to best communicate for the organization's needs.  

Create an "Alumni" account group in order to move members out that have graduated.

Reserve campus facility space for events that are planned for the new 2012-2013 year (using R25 if your organization sent a delegate to one of the trainings this year).  After you reserve space through R25 see below...

Place your organization events on your Orgsync calendar, and for those that are open to the entire campus community, select "make public" so that the event will appear on the www.samford.edu/campuslife calendar.  You can also promote your event through facebook/twitter when you put your event on your Orgsync page.  Need to limit the event guest list?  Create an RSVP or link to an online registration form (see forms on left hand navigation).  

Consider building a website for your student organization through Orgsync.  See the Website button on the left-hand navigation.  

Load pictures/videos of your student organization events to your Orgsync portal  and use them to promote opportunities for involvement for new and returning students.  

Use the Communication tools in Orgsync to communicate with your members;  create account groups in order to categorize your members (officers, members, alumni, create committees, etc) to help target communication with your members rather than "spam" them.  

Keep track of expenses and financial matters by creating a treasury in Orgsync.   

Selling t-shirts or other items over the summer to members?  Create an online form in Orgsync, dropping in a paypal link (only if you maintain an off campus bank account for your organization) for members to pay rather than collect checks or cash  Online form submissions can be exported into an excel sheet that neatly tallies the categories you need to decide how many of an item or size to order.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Renie Moss, Assistant Dean for Campus Life, at rmoss@samford.edu. Other than May 28-June 8th, she will be in the office and is happy to assist you.

SGA Spring Elections will be held Monday, April 2-Tuesday, April 3 at http://portal.samford.edu.  Voting will begin at 8am on Monday and end at 3pm on Tuesday. 

The SGA office (University Center 117) will be set up as an official polling location from 8am-5pm on Monday.  Students who cast their votes in the SGA office will receive a free SGA cup and drink from the Food Court.

For more information, contact Janna Pennington (jpenning@samford.edu) or David Reece (dreece@samford.edu)

Under the leadership of Ali Edwards and advisement of Dr. Peter Neurberger, the Trailblazer Track Club received approval by the Faculty Campus Life Committee and the Samford Board of Trustees in March of 2012.    Interested in running with Samford's very own track club?  Contact Ali Edwards for more information at aedward1@samford.edu.  You can also find them on Twitter at TrailblazerTC.

To learn more, check out their Orgsync portal!

Creating change can be difficult for any leader, whether on campus or in the community. Come get some pointers from Dr. Sarah Latham, Vice President for Operations and Planning, at the Leadership Lunch on March 28th at 12:00pm.  Free lunch for the first 35 students to register at http://samford.orgsync.com/SL_forms. For more info, contact Janna Pennington at jpenning@samford.edu.
 

Samford Gives Back

Don't forget! If you are planning to sign up for Samford Gives Back as an individual, sign ups are TODAY until 2 PM in Harry's. If you are planning to register with a group, you must submit the OrgSync form by next Tuesday, November 22. Remember to gather the names and email addresses of all group members before you submit the form. To fill out the group form, click here: https://orgsync.com/30302/forms/show/40273.

Salvation Army Angel Tree

Join in Samford's annual tradition of providing gifts to children in need by adopting an Angel this Christmas season. Stop by the Angel Tree at these locations and times throughout the remainder of this week:

Wednesday, November 16- Bookstore Lobby-11 AM-1 PM

Thursday, November 17- Bookstore Lobby- 11 AM-1 PM

Friday, November 18- Caf- 11 AM-1 PM

Gift drop-off will occur on Monday, December 5 from 9 AM-2 PM in the Howard Room (Flag Colonnade). Coffee and cookies will be provided as a small thank you for your participation.

Is Samford an inviting place for all students?

What role do students play in creating an inclusive community?

Join Dr. John Knapp, Director of the Mann Center for Ethics and Leadership, in a conversation about “invitational leadership” on Wednesday, November 16 at 12:00pm in the Howard Room. The first 50 students to register for this event will receive free lunch.

Register now at http://samford.orgsync.com/SL_forms

The Leadership Lunch Series is sponsored by the Department of Student Leadership and Programming. For more information, contact Janna Pennington at jpenning@samford.edu or (205)726-2471. 

You asked for it!  Dr. Dennis Jones, Assoc. Professor in JMC, will provide basic In Design training for student organization leaders at 3:00 pm in the Davis Library 040 computer lab on Thursday, November 10th.  In Design is software used to create posters/flyers, marketing pieces for your events and programs.   Space is limited so please only have one representative from your organization RSVP to attend.  Register  today by selecting this event on the Campus Life calendar link.

Following the October 2011 review and approval of the Samford Faculty Campus Life Committee and final approval by the Samford Board of Trustees, the following new student organizations have officially established for the 2011-2012 year.  Please join me in welcoming these newest student groups and student leaders to the Samford campus community!

Delta Xi Phi Multicultural Sorority (currently seeking colony status with national organization)

Gamma Sigma Alpha (national Greek academic honor society)

Samford Disc Golf

TEDxSamfordU

Links above will take you to a description of each of these organizations as well as leadership contact information should you have an interest in learning more about what they will be adding to the Samford community.

Student organization leaders,

One final opportunity to be trained and authorized to use the Samford University online calendar system (reserve campus space, request facilities, market your events) is being offered. In order to place this final training at a time that is best for most interested student organization leaders, please submit your choice in the online poll currently listed on orgsync.com. It is a big blue banner at the top of the page when you first log on. This poll will be live until this Friday and we will schedule training according to the poll results.

Remember that only student leaders that have completed this training are eligible to use R25. Those students names will be added to the system by Operations and Planning.
 

Samford Community,

Orgsync has scheduled a number of fall virtual online training opportunities that you may register for to expand your organization's Orgsync portal and your leadership skills.  Many of you have asked about how to use the website builder.  Please note that there are several opportunities to participate in website builder training.  If you  missed our Student Organization Leadership Day last spring, Orgsync is also offering a "Virtual Onsite Training" opportunity for administrators of each student organization.  This is highly recommended for new administrators of student organizations or as a brush up for organization administrators that attended last spring.

Simply go to http://www.orgsync.com/resources/events  to review training opportunities.  Click on the link title to the training opportunity of your choice and then in the description of the event, complete the online registration form.  

Please let me know if you take advantage of any of these opportunities and what you think so that I can give our Orgsync partners the feedback they need to continue to expand and improve their tools for you.

Go Bulldogs!

Renie Moss, Asst. Dean for Campus Life

Samford Students,

Please join us this Wednesday, October 5, for dinner and a movie. Beginning at 5:30pm, some of Samford’s Trustees will be serving hamburgers and hotdogs at the new intramural pavilion across Lakeshore Drive. Then, at 7:00pm, an exclusive showing of October Baby will take place in Samford’s Sciencenter Planetarium. Both of these events are first-come, first-serve so don’t be late!

For more information about October Baby, a feature film that includes scenes shot on Samford’s campus and in Birmingham, click here: October Baby Trailer

Hope to see you on Wednesday!

Register now for the next Leadership Lunch on Wednesday, October 19!  Kristina Scott, Executive Director of Alabama Possible (www.alabamapossible.org), will be speaking about "Tornado Relief: Making a Sustainable Impact in Alabama".  Come learn how you and your organization(s) can be involved with ongoing recovery efforts in our state.

This event is open to all students but only the first 50 to register will receive free lunch.

To sign up, complete the registration form at this link: http://samford.orgsync.com/SL_forms

For more information, contact Janna Pennington, Director of Student Leadership and Programming, at jpenning@samford.edu.

Samford's Mann Center for Ethics and Leadership, UM, and the Library are sponsoring a "Courageous Conversation" about cheating at Samford this Thursday, October 6th at 3 PM. See the findings of the 2011 Samford Survey on Academic Integrity, hear what other students think about cheating, and voice your opinions!

Faculty panelists are Dr. Doug Clapp and Ms. Lori Northrup, joined by student panelists Tom Oliver and Caroline Noland. Dr. John Knapp will moderate.

Convo credit is available!!
 

Student organization leaders are invited to participate in one of two opportunities to receive training on R25, the Samford University online calendaring system.  After receiving training, you will be able to request and schedule event space on campus as well as to place your organization's events on the University calendar.

Only those student leaders that participate in training are eligible to use R25 so make plans to attend on of the two trainings today!

Go to the Samford Orgsync Calendar  and select one of the following dates to register for training.

Thursday, October 6th from 10-11 a.m.

Thursday, October 13th from 10-11 a.m.

All students are invited to participate in a Leadership Lunch series sponsored by the Department of Student Leadership and Programming. Each month a different faculty, staff, or community member will facilitate discussion on a topic related to leadership. Lunches will be held in the Howard Room (formerly known as the Flag Colonnade) and free lunch will be provided for the first 50 students who register each month.

Fall Semester Schedule
9/29/11, 12:00-1:00pm: Leadership Lessons from Dr. Westmoreland (presented by Dr. Andrew Westmoreland, Samford President)

10/19/11, 12:00-1:00pm: Tornado Relief: Making a Sustainable Impact in Alabama (presented by Kristina Scott, Executive Director of Alabama Possible)

11/16/11, 12:00-1:00pm: Becoming an Invitational Leader (presented by Dr. John Knapp, Mann Center for Ethics and Leadership)

If you have questions about the Leadership Lunch series, please contact Janna Pennington at jpenning@samford.edu.
 

For any student interested in participating in the IFC or Panhellenic fraternity or sorority recruitment/rush process informational and mandatory meetings have been announced.

This Thursday at 6 pm in Reid Chapel, Panhellenic Council will be hosting an informational meeting for any woman interested in the process but have not fully registered. This will be an opportunity to ask questions and get any information you need to help make the decision.

On Thursday, September 8th there will be a Mandatory meeting for all women participating in the recruitment/rush process at 8 pm in Reid Chapel. Please make plans to attend now.

Also on Thursday, September 8th. The IFC fraternities will be hosting an informational session at 9:15 pm in Reid Chapel. If you are unsure about the IFC Rush/Recruitment process and want more information you are invited to come.

On Wednesday, September 14th there will be mandatory meetings for both IFC/Panhellenic rush/recruitment participants in Reid Chapel at the following times:

IFC fraternity recruitment: 7 pm
Panhellenic sorority recruitment: 8:15 pm

In the meantime, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact greeklife@samford.edu
 

Want to be an SGA Senator or Class Officer? Sign up to run for office at www.samford.edu/sga between Monday, August 29 and Thursday, September 8. For more information, contact David Reece (SGA Vice President for Senate) at dreece@samford.edu.
 

Click here for the Opening of School Campus Connection Newsletter. Welcome back, Samford Bulldogs!

Welcome new Samford students! We invite you to log on to orgsync.com  take a look at the profiles of over 155 student organizations available to you as you consider getting involved on campus. Most student organization profiles have contact information for organization officers in case you have any questions over the summer. Most also have a link to their respective websites or their facebook/twitter info.
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, September 8th, when the Org Fair will be held on Ben Brown. This will be a great opportunity for you to connect with the student leaders in all of the Samford student organizations.
Welcome to Samford!
Renie Moss
Asst. Dean for Campus Life 

Samford Community,

After today we will no longer send a daily email letting you know of ways you can give, pray, and serve, but needs will continue. For those of you who have followed these emails, you may have noticed that the needs and means of communication are becoming pretty steady, and consistent each day. The major service agencies have established service hubs in the affected areas where they are sending volunteers that are then dispersed in teams from that hub. Addresses for these hubs are listed on the websites listed below. Please note that the five major service agencies listed above have regular communicated service and donation needs listed on their websites, but even more up to date on their face book sites. If you have not joined face book to date, this would be a worthy time to do so in order to be in communication with the many ways our region is giving back to our neighbors in need. Needs can often change by the minute and face book and twitter are becoming vital means of communication to provide as instant a response as possible. The Samford website will have links for you to follow at any given time.

Christian Service Mission website – http://www.csmission.org
Christian Service Mission on face book - http://www.facebook.com/ChristianServiceMission
Christian Service Mission on twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/CSMission

Mission Birmingham website - http://missionbirmingham.jimdo.com/
Mission Birmingham on face book - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mission-Birmingham/188678601178608
Mission Birmingham on twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/MissionBham

Hands on Birmingham website - http://www.handsonbirmingham.org/
Hands on Birmingham face book site - http://www.facebook.com/HandsOnBirmingham
Hands on Birmingham twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/HandsOnBham

Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions website - http://www.alsbom.org/feature2

Mid-Alabama Region Red Cross - http://www.alredcross.org/index.asp?IDCapitulo=DRGYJ0Q5XZ

Remember that all Samford Athletic events this weekend ARE FREE and donations are being accepted to benefit tornado relief.

There are very few Samford Gives Back volunteer shirts left at the Hub and we will not be ordering anymore. Volunteers going into many of the areas are now being required to register with official organizations (Hands On Birmingham, Christian Service Mission, Mission Birmingham, Birmingham Baptist Ministries – all listed below in links) so your identity as a volunteer, although we encourage you to wear Samford gear, is not necessarily in question anymore. Volunteers are everywhere and needed more than ever so simply – go forth and serve!

We know for a fact that volunteers in the Tuscaloosa area must be registered starting Saturday, May 7th. This is to get into the hardest hit areas to help with debris removal, etc. etc. You can email 24 hours in advance and get an expedited registration at volunteer@tuscaloosa.com. The site is the TUS Volunteer Reception Center, 3801 Loop Road in the McAbee Center. This effects Alberta City, Holt and greater Tuscaloosa.

For those of you who have been contacted by family and friends from out of town who are looking for a way to help, please note that there is now an Amazon.com donation wish list set up with free shipping for the Christian Service Mission. This is the link to the Christian Service Mission's Wish list from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/wishlist/1R41WY8NOJJ3A/ref=cm_wl_rlist_go

Please continue to forward me pictures, links, or your stories of service in this time of need!

GIVE:
The vital needs for donations that continues to get twittered, face booked, and emailed are mainly infant and children's items like diapers, baby food, baby wipes, etc in addition to:

• POWDERED BOTTLE WATER FLAVORING – big need right now.
• Diapers of all sizes, adult and infant, and wet wipes
• Bottled and Gallon Drinking Water
• Tarps of all sizes
• Sunscreen
• Rubbermaid containers of all sizes
• Coolers
• Batteries
• Personal care products (soap, wipes, deodorant, toothpaste, combs, brushes, etc)
• Feminine care products
• Cleaning supplies (convenience items, Lysol wipes, shop towels, etc.)
• First-aid items
• Bug spray
• Trash bags and Ziploc storage bags of all sizes
• New unopened medicines such as Children's Tylenol/Advil, adult versions, etc.
• Work gloves
• Packing tape, duct tape, etc.

You can bring your items directly to the Christian Service Mission located at 3600 3rd Avenue South or:
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Bring your donations to First Baptist Church of Birmingham, located at the corner of Lakeshore and 31. When you enter their parking lot, go to the "back" of the lot (opposite the side facing Lakeshore) and that is the entrance to the church. Supplies are being collected there.
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Shades Mountain Baptist Church is also collecting supplies in their foyer which is located at the corner of Columbiana Rd and Canyon Rd (turn left onto Columbiana from Lakeshore, go up the hill and you will see the church on your left)
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Dr. David Finn in Education has also graciously agreed to leave his trunk open for donations. His vehicle (a black Ford Edge (SUV) will be parked in the lower lot of OBB with the trunk lid open. People could just drop things in there and I will be glad to deliver it to one of three sites near me.
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Boy Scout Troops in Vestavia are receiving and packaging donations and carrying them in trucks/trailers directly to the Christian Service Mission (CSM). There will be several troops in Scout Square (next to the Walgreen’s, across Hwy 31 from the Vestavia Publix) from 8-5 on Saturday.
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SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE FOR HACKLEBURG
Kappa Delta Pi is sponsoring a school supply drive from May 5th-May 10th. Please drop off new school supplies outside of Room 233 in the OBB.

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Consider donating to either the employee emergency assistance fund or the student emergency assistance fund.

Employee Assistance Fund Giving Form http://www4.samford.edu/giving/employee_assistance_form.html 
(This is the “Other Designation” page; donors must specify that they want to donate to the Employee Assistance Fund.)

Student Emergency Assistance Fund Giving Form http://www2.samford.edu/giving/index.php?area=seaf

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Mission Birmingham http://missionbirmingham.jimdo.com is also collecting supplies for distribution in disaster areas and is seeking volunteers to come help put together care packages.
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Family Voices of Alabama has set up a special donation and assistance page to assist families with special health care needs children that may have been affected by the tornadoes. You can learn more at http://www.familyvoicesal.org/

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Ashley Gassner in Brooks 122 is collecting items for magiccitymom.com relief efforts. They are putting together care packages for children. Abi Williams in Brooks Hall 107 is collecting infant and child items for the relief efforts through birminghammommy.com and MOMS Market.
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Kids Market located at the old Academy in Wildwood Shopping Center on Lakeshore has reopened in order to collect children's and infant items (NO CLOTHES) to be donated to tornado relief. For more information go to http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/notes/kim-edwards-meadows/kids-market-gives-back/10150233993610908

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Greater Birmingham Humane Society, which is near Samford on Snow Drive, is serving as a major staging area for animals that were displaced by the storms. Many dogs and cats have been brought in from Tuscaloosa, Pratt City, etc. Some have been reunited with their owners. Some no longer have owners. This is a big undertaking, and GBHS is running out of food. If you'd like to take a bag or two of dog and/or cat food to them, they'd be highly appreciative. They are having a very hard time keeping up with the demand.
Greater Birmingham Humane Society for areas surrounding Birmingham - 300 Snow Drive, Birmingham, AL (off of West Oxmoor Rd) - phone 205-942-1211 - www.GBHS.org

SERVE:

Don’t question or ask what you will be doing. Simply come with a servant heart, ready to do what needs to be done.
Hands On Birmingham has specific site needs available for volunteers. If you've not already formed a volunteer team or signed up as an individual you can do so here as well as register as an official volunteer:

http://www.handsonbirmingham.org/specialevents/viewSpecialEvent.php?_mode=eventDetail&_action=eventDetail&ixSpecialEvent=423 <http://www.handsonbirmingham.org/specialevents/viewSpecialEvent.php?_mode=eventDetail&amp;_action=eventDetail&amp;ixSpecialEvent=423>

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Students Amanda Gargus and Ben Meadows have organized this opportunity for Saturday:

YMCA Camp Cosby is gathering a group to go down to the communities surrounding Tuscaloosa on Saturday May 7. We will be meeting at 8am in the Rotunda Parking Lot to load supplies and equipment to take to these hard hit areas such as Holt, Alberta, Peterson, and Snoddy. While there we will also be helping tarp roofs, search through the rubble, and provide first aid THOSE WITH FIRST AID EXPERIENCE ARE GREATLY NEEDED. Also we are in need of some necessary supplies: FIRST AID SUPPLIES, food that does not need to be heated, water, baby supplies (bottles, diapers, formula, and wipes), feminine products (especially pads), CANDLES, NAILS, and HAMMERS. We are also trying to collect supplies for the children in the Holt community such as candy, coloring books, and crayons. If you are interested in volunteering please wear long pants, closed toed shoes, and your Samford Gives Back shirt. BRING YOUR OWN GLOVES and if possible a hammer and a bag of nails. To learn more or if you want to drop off supplies contact Amanda Gargus at agargus@samford.edu LOVE THY NEIGHBOR!!!!

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Birmingham Baptist Association Meal preparation desperately needed: Food Trailer is stationed at 4825 Avenue W Ensley Just behind Fire station #20 near the fairgrounds. There are four shifts available for volunteers, with the two greatest needs the 5:00am shift and the 6:00pm shift. This will take place at least through this week. If you can form a team to assist with any one of these shifts, please contact Bill Morrison at bmorrison@alsbom.org

1st shift: 5am-10am, Preparation of 3000 meals

2nd shift: 10am-1:30pm, Preparation of 3000 meals

3rd shift: 1:30pm-5:00pm, Preparation of 3000 meals

4th shift: 6pm-10pm, Clean up and preparation for following day
***********************************************

Chainsaw crews needed: Assist in removing trees from property. If students don’t have access to a chainsaw, they can drag limbs to the curb. Saturday will be the biggest day for this work. Wear appropriate work clothes and closed toes shoes. Central Park Baptist Church; 1900 43rd Street in Ensley at 9:00 am through Friday and 8:00 am on Saturday.
****************************************************
Crossroads Community Church, located at the corner of Hwy 31 and Shades Crest Rd (church next to the President’s Home) is in need of about 10 volunteers to unload pallets of crisis care packets starting at 9:00 am on Saturday morning.
*****************************************
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT The Foundry http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Foundry/97815266274: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we will be sorting/sizing clothing donations at Bessemer City Hall Auditorium located on the corner of 18th Street North and 3rd Avenue. We need volunteers to help sort and size from 8:30 AM until 8:30 PM. All you need to do is show up. Email mandrews@thefoundryonline.org if you can help

************************************
From the Alabama Baptist Fellowship:
McDonald's Chapel outside of Birmingham is an isolated community without much help. We have heard that 35 homes were destroyed, additional damage done to most of the other houses and at least six dead. We have identified them as one area where we will be doing extensive long-term work to restore their housing.
There is an IMMEDIATE need for debris removal, clean-up, supplies, and people to come and listen and talk with these victims. If you want to help right away, we need people to come (bring your own supplies - chain saws, gloves, bags, water, gas, etc) on Saturday, May 7 starting at 9 am. Mart Gray of Covenant Church will be organizing these few days of activity (contact: mart@troycable.net or 334-806-8118). We do anticipate more work days in the future. You are encouraged to be updated on your tetanus shot.

**************************************************************************************
BB&T bank will sponsor a blood drive with the American Red Cross on Tuesday, May 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Shades Valley Branch, 2501 20th Place South, Birmingham, Ala., 35223
*************************************
Critical need for psychiatrist and TRAINED shock, grief and depression counselors in Pratt City. Please call Anne Lucas at 205-746-6850 if you are qualified and can help.
*************************************
United Way is looking for volunteers to man their 2-1-1 phone line, Students can email their availability to 211volunteer@uwca.org to sign up for a 4 hr shift (any times are appreciated).
Volunteers will be trained to answer phones at the emergency hotline to direct calls as necessary
***************************************************

****************************************************************************************************
Timely updates on additional service and resource needs are being posted on the Christian Service Mission face book site. Addresses where you can drive to and go into the community from a set location are also listed. http://www.facebook.com/ChristianServiceMission . Literally the needs change by the minute so be sure to sign up for their updates. CS Mission is reaching into Birmingham, Cullman, Tuscaloosa, and the smallest cities in between. The best thing is to sign for their daily email newsletter which lists the service sites, instructions for volunteering, as well as the day's most pressing donation needs. From there, simply show up, individually or as a group, or follow instructions given in the email to fulfill one of the needs they share.
****************************************************************************************************
Birmingham Baptist Disaster Relief http://bbaonline.org/dr is offering training for disaster relief deployment.
****************************************************************************************************
MPower Ministries has set up a medical clinic in Pratt City and needs medical volunteers as well as chaplains, pastors, and pastoral counselors. Find out how to help at http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Satellite-Clinic-in-Pratt-City.html?soid=1101981087329&aid=3c0yI-dUwTY or contact Ryan Hankins at ryan.hankins@mpowerministries.org.

****************************************************************

Samaritan's Purse/Mission Birmingham will continue to send daily teams every weekday from 7 am and 1 pm.
(This is the group that meets at Garywood Assembly of God at 2730 Allison-Bonnet Memorial Drive, Hueytown, 35023)

****************************************************************
Medical volunteers can sign up at Alabama Department of Public Healthhttp://www.adph.org/volunteer/Default.asp?id=2760

****************************************************************
The Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions also has a website with regularly updated donation and service effort needs at http://www.alsbom.org/feature2

PRAY:
Take a moment to reflect on those affected by these storms, including members of the Samford community by viewing today's guided prayer video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JeF5LZHg_0.
****************************

Please remember that counseling is available should you need to talk to someone during this time. Please call Counseling at x2065, located in temporary offices on the 3rd floor of the University Center, in the Career Development Center conference room area.

Continue to check www.samford.edu  for information about how you can donate and serve through a variety of local agencies as well as assist students, faculty, and staff at Samford through donating to the emergency assistance fund. There will you find updates for additional ways you can give, serve, and pray as we join hearts and hands in support of the greater community around us.
 

Samford Community,

Additional Samford Gives Back volunteer shirts have now been delivered to the Hub. Additional XXL and XXXL shirts are being printed as we speak and word from the printer is that they will be delivered later this evening. They should be available first thing tomorrow morning for those of you looking for those sizes.

For those of you who have been contacted by family and friends from out of town who are looking for a way to help, please note that there is now an Amazon.com donation wish list set up with free shipping for the Christian Service Mission. This is the link to the Christian Service Mission's Wish list from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/wishlist/1R41WY8NOJJ3A/ref=cm_wl_rlist_go.

Yesterday a student shared her personal story of surviving the storm with me. She shared that about a month ago (in March) she was going through a difficult time and a dear friend, offering her encouragement, shared with her that her first name meant “flat clearing” and her middle name meant “shelter from the storm.” Last week this student survived the tornado that came through their backyard, destroying their neighbors home but left their home still standing. Little did this student know that about a month later she would find the power in the meaning of her name mean so much more to her. What an inspirational story and message of hope!

Please continue to forward me pictures, links, or your stories of service in this time of need! Attached is a picture of some Pharmacy students fresh back from a day of service. This picture is proof of why you should be prepare to get in there and get dirty for a good cause!

GIVE:
The vital needs for donations that continues to get twittered, facebooked, and emailed are mainly infant and children's items like diapers, baby food, baby wipes, etc in addition to:

• Diapers of all sizes, adult and infant, and wet wipes
• Bottled and Gallon Drinking Water
• Tarps of all sizes
• Sunscreen
• Rubbermaid containers of all sizes
• Coolers
• Batteries
• Personal care products (soap, wipes, deodorant, toothpaste, combs, brushes, etc)
• Feminine care products
• Cleaning supplies (convenience items, lysol wipes, shop towels, etc.)
• First-aid items
• Bug spray
• Trash bags and ziploc storage bags of all sizes
• New unopened medicines such as Children's Tylenol/Advil, adult versions, etc.
• Work gloves
• Packing tape, duct tape, etc.

You can bring your items directly to the Christian Service Mission located at 3600 3rd Avenue South or:

Bring your donations to First Baptist Church of Birmingham, located at the corner of Lakeshore and 31. When you enter their parking lot, go to the "back" of the lot (opposite the side facing Lakeshore) and that is the entrance to the church. Supplies are being collected there.

Shades Mountain Baptist Church is also collecting supplies in their foyer which is located at the corner of Columbiana Rd and Canyon Rd (turn left onto Columbiana from Lakeshore, go up the hill and you will see the church on your left)

Dr. David Finn in Education has also graciously agreed to leave his trunk open for donations. His vehicle (a black Ford Edge (SUV) will be parked in the lower lot of OBB with the trunk lid open. People could just drop things in there and I will be glad to deliver it to one of three sites near me.

********************************************************************
SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE FOR HACKLEBURG

The town of Hackleburg is asking for school supply donations. Kappa Delta Pi is sponsoring a school supply drive from May 5th-May 10th. Please drop off new school supplies outside of Room 233 in the OBB.

******************************************************************************
Consider donating to either the employee emergency assistance fund or the student emergency assistance fund.

Employee Assistance Fund Giving Form <http://www4.samford.edu/giving/employee_assistance_form.html>
(This is the “Other Designation” page; donors must specify that they want to donate to the Employee Assistance Fund.)

Student Emergency Assistance Fund Giving Form <http://www2.samford.edu/giving/index.php?area=seaf>

****************************************************************************************************

Mission Birmingham<http://missionbirmingham.jimdo.com/> is also collecting supplies for distribution in disaster areas and is seeking volunteers to come help put together care packages.
****************************************************************************************************

Family Voices of Alabama has set up a special donation and assistance page to assist families with special health care needs children that may have been affected by the tornadoes. You can learn more at http://www.familyvoicesal.org/

****************************************************************************************************
Ashley Gassner in Brooks 122 is collecting items for magiccitymom.com relief efforts. They are putting together care packages for children. Abi Williams in Brooks Hall 107 is collecting infant and child items for the relief efforts through birminghammommy.com and MOMS Market.
*********************************************************************
Kids Market located at the old Academy in Wildwood Shopping Center on Lakeshore has reopened in order to collect children's and infant items (NO CLOTHES) to be donated to tornado relief. For more information go to http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/notes/kim-edwards-meadows/kids-market-gives-back/10150233993610908

***************************************************************************************
Greater Birmingham Humane Society, which is near Samford on Snow Drive, is serving as a major staging area for animals that were displaced by the storms. Many dogs and cats have been brought in from Tuscaloosa, Pratt City, etc. Some have been reunited with their owners. Some no longer have owners. This is a big undertaking, and GBHS is running out of food. If you'd like to take a bag or two of dog and/or cat food to them, they'd be highly appreciative. They are having a very hard time keeping up with the demand.
Greater Birmingham Humane Society for areas surrounding Birmingham - 300 Snow Drive, Birmingham, AL (off of West Oxmoor Rd) - phone 205-942-1211 - www.GBHS.org

SERVE:

Don’t question or ask what you will be doing. Simply come with a servant heart, ready to do what needs to be done.

****************************************

Students Amanda Gargus and Ben Meadows have organized this opportunity for Saturday:

YMCA Camp Cosby is gathering a group to go down to the communities surrounding Tuscaloosa on Saturday May 7. We will be meeting at 8am in the Rotunda Parking Lot to load supplies and equipment to take to these hard hit areas such as Holt, Alberta, Peterson, and Snoddy. While there we will also be helping tarp roofs, search through the rubble, and provide first aid THOSE WITH FIRST AID EXPERIENCE ARE GREATLY NEEDED. Also we are in need of some necessary supplies: FIRST AID SUPPLIES, food that does not need to be heated, water, baby supplies (bottles, diapers, formula, and wipes), feminine products (especially pads), CANDLES, NAILS, and HAMMERS. We are also trying to collect supplies for the children in the Holt community such as candy, coloring books, and crayons. If you are interested in volunteering please wear long pants, closed toed shoes, and your Samford Gives Back shirt. BRING YOUR OWN GLOVES and if possible a hammer and a bag of nails. To learn more or if you want to drop off supplies contact Amanda Gargus at agargus@samford.edu LOVE THY NEIGHBOR!!!!

*****************************************

Birmingham Baptist Association Meal preparation desperately needed: Food Trailer is stationed at 4825 Avenue W Ensley Just behind Fire station #20 near the fairgrounds. There are four shifts available for volunteers, with the two greatest needs the 5:00am shift and the 6:00pm shift. This will take place at least through this week. If you can form a team to assist with any one of these shifts, please contact Bill Morrison at bmorrison@alsbom.org.

1st shift: 5am-10am, Preparation of 3000 meals

2nd shift: 10am-1:30pm, Preparation of 3000 meals

3rd shift: 1:30pm-5:00pm, Preparation of 3000 meals

4th shift: 6pm-10pm, Clean up and preparation for following day
*******************************************************

Chainsaw crews needed: Assist in removing trees from property. If students don’t have access to a chainsaw, they can drag limbs to the curb. Saturday will be the biggest day for this work. Wear appropriate work clothes and closed toes shoes. Central Park Baptist Church; 1900 43rd Street in Ensley at 9:00 am through Friday and 8:00 am on Saturday.
***********************************************************

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT The Foundry<http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Foundry/97815266274>: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we will be sorting/sizing clothing donations at Bessemer City Hall Auditorium located on the corner of 18th Street North and 3rd Avenue. We need volunteers to help sort and size from 8:30 AM until 8:30 PM. All you need to do is show up. Email mandrews@thefoundryonline.org if you can help

************************************
>From the Alabama Baptist Fellowship:
McDonald's Chapel outside of Birmingham is an isolated community without much help. We have heard that 35 homes were destroyed, additional damage done to most of the other houses and at least six dead. We have identified them as one area where we will be doing extensive long-term work to restore their housing.
There is an IMMEDIATE need for debris removal, clean-up, supplies, and people to come and listen and talk with these victims. If you want to help right away, we need people to come (bring your own supplies - chain saws, gloves, bags, water, gas, etc) on Thursday, May 5 at 1 pm, and then all day Friday, May 6 and Saturday, May 7 starting at 9 am. Mart Gray of Covenant Church will be organizing these few days of activity (contact: mart@troycable.net or 334-806-8118). We do anticipate more work days in the future. You are encouraged to be updated on your tetanus shot.

**************************************************************************************
BB&T bank will sponsor a blood drive with the American Red Cross on Tuesday, May 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Shades Valley Branch, 2501 20th Place South, Birmingham, Ala., 35223
*************************************
Critical need for psychiatrist and TRAINED shock, grief and depression counselors in Pratt City. Please call Anne Lucas at 205-746-6850 if you are qualified and can help.
*************************************
United Way is looking for volunteers to man their 2-1-1 phone line, Students can email their availability to 211volunteer@uwca.org<https://email.samford.edu/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx> to sign up for a 4 he shift (any times are appreciated).
Students will be trained to answer phones at the emergency hotline to direct calls as necessary
***************************************************
Hands On Birmingham has specific site needs available for volunteers. If you've not already formed a volunteer team or signed up as an individual you can do so here:

http://www.handsonbirmingham.org/specialevents/viewSpecialEvent.php?_mode=eventDetail&_action=eventDetail&ixSpecialEvent=423

****************************************************************************************************
Timely updates on additional service and resource needs are being posted on the Christian Service Mission facebook site. Addresses where you can drive to and go into the community from a set location are also listed. http://www.facebook.com/ChristianServiceMission <http://www.facebook.com/ChristianServiceMission> . Literally the needs change by the minute so be sure to sign up for their updates. CS Mission is reaching into Birmingham, Cullman, Tuscaloosa, and the smallest cities in between. The best thing is to sign for their daily email newsletter which lists the service sites, instructions for volunteering, as well as the day's most pressing donation needs. From there, simply show up, individually or as a group, or follow instructions given in the email to fulfill one of the needs they share.
****************************************************************************************************
Birmingham Baptist Disaster Relief<http://bbaonline.org/dr> is offering training for disaster relief deployment.
****************************************************************************************************
MPower Ministries has set up a medical clinic in Pratt City and needs medical volunteers as well as chaplains, pastors, and pastoral counselors. Find out how to help at http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Satellite-Clinic-in-Pratt-City.html?soid=1101981087329&aid=3c0yI-dUwTY <http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Satellite-Clinic-in-Pratt-City.html?soid=1101981087329&aid=3c0yI-dUwTY> or contact Ryan Hankins at ryan.hankins@mpowerministries.org <mailto:ryan.hankins@mpowerministries.org> <mailto:ryan.hankins@mpowerministries.org> .

****************************************************************

Samaritan's Purse/Mission Birmingham will continue to send daily teams every weekday from 7 am and 1 pm.
(This is the group that meets at Garywood Assembly of God at 2730 Allison-Bonnet Memorial Drive, Hueytown, 35023)

****************************************************************
Medical volunteers can sign up at Alabama Department of Public Healthhttp://www.adph.org/volunteer/Default.asp?id=2760

****************************************************************
The Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions also has a website with regularly updated donation and service effort needs at http://www.alsbom.org/feature2

PRAY:
Take a moment to reflect on those affected by these storms, including members of the Samford community by viewing today's guided prayer video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JeF5LZHg_0.
****************************

Please remember that counseling is available should you need to talk to someone during this time. Please call Counseling at x2065, located in temporary offices on the 3rd floor of the University Center, in the Career Development Center conference room area.

Continue to check www.samford.edu<http://www.samford.edu> for information about how you can donate and serve through a variety of local agencies as well as assist students, faculty, and staff at Samford through donating to the emergency assistance fund. I will continue to update you daily on additional ways you can give, serve, and pray as we join hearts and hands in support of the greater community around us.

Renie Porter Moss, Assistant Dean for Campus Life
Samford University
800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, AL 35229
(205) 726-2116
samford.orgsync.com<http://samford.orgsync.com>
 

Samford Community,

This is a long one, folks, so bear with me....

There is so much work to do and so little ability for my finite mind to grasp the long-term plan for how people, families, business, communities will come out of this disaster. Worshiping as a community this morning in Reid Chapel reminded me that "My God is so great, so strong and so mighty there's nothing my God cannot do!" The next time my five year old son sings that song, it will mean so much more to me. I pray that those directly affected by these storms can find that same peace, understanding, and solace. A link to the guided prayer from today's service can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JeF5LZHg_0 .

The weather has made situations even more difficult today but out of the chaos, let me share some of the service that has flowed out of the Samford community over the past few days. If you have stories to share, please do email me directly.

Over 200 members of our campus community went out on Saturday morning to serve in Pratt City and Pleasant Grove. Many other volunteers served directly at the Christian Service Mission sorting and receiving donations all weekend long. Today around 10:00 am the Christian Service Mission sent out an urgent facebook/twitter call that their supplies were virtually gone and that anything and everything was needed. Yesterday evening the Cullman Food Bank ran out of food and the Christian Service Mission sent a truck immediately to relieve their efforts. If you don't think sorting at a distribution center is service, understand how quickly donations are coming in and needing to be sorted in order to send out into the community ASAP. This is a worthy and vital piece of the service outreach puzzle.

Additional groups from our campus have gone directly to the hard hit areas in Tuscaloosa, Cullman, and I believe the Ft.Payne area. These include fraternities, sororities, University Ministries student organizations, groups of athletes, as well as students and faculty from our Moffett Nursing school. Student Amanda Gargus stopped by today to tell me how a random group of students, including her, have now formed a service opportunity for this Saturday (see below) in and around the Holt community outside of Tuscaloosa, working alongside Camp Cosby YMCA employees doing the same service work. Not so random anymore! Additional faculty are gathering their classes in the Brock Business school to go out into the community later this week in organized groups, armed with supplies to remove debris, a huge need right now. I have glimpsed pictures of our students on various facebook service group pages, working tirelessly to offer hope to those that need it most right now. If you are willing to share your experience in word or picture, please do let me know at rmoss@samford.edu.

You may have contributed to or seen the 24 foot Samford Gives Back truck that was parking at the West Gate exit. In addition to the over $1600 collected in donations at the Avett Brothers concert, two full truck loads of donated supplies went to the Christian Service Mission, all from the Samford community. More is needed so please read below how you can continue to give, serve, and pray.

You may also have seen Red Cross volunteers being housed in Bashinsky over the last few days and they will also be staying in the South Colonnade of the Pete Hanna Center and the third floor of the Cooney Field House. Samford will provide shelter for these 24/7 Red Cross volunteers until next Monday, May 9th when they are routed to additional service sites through the Red Cross efforts. Thank you to the campus community to your patience and cooperation as we have opened our doors to these volunteers who have come from all over the country to assist our state.

GIVE:
We will no longer staff or maintain a cargo truck for donations of supplies but ask you direct your ongoing donations to one of several sites below. The vital needs for donations remain

• Diapers of all sizes, adult and infant, and wet wipes
• Bottled and Gallon Drinking Water
• Tarps of all sizes
• Sunscreen
• Rubbermaid containers of all sizes
• Coolers
• Batteries
• Personal care products (soap, wipes, deodorant, toothpaste, combs, brushes, etc)
• Feminine care products
• Cleaning supplies (convenience items like lysol wipes, presoaped sponges, shop towels, etc.)
• First-aid items
• Bug spray
• Trash bags and ziploc storage bags of all sizes
• New unopened medicines such as Children's Tylenol/Advil, adult versions, etc.
• Work gloves
• Packing tape, duct tape, etc.

You can bring your items directly to the Christian Service Mission located at 3600 3rd Avenue South or:

Bring your donations to First Baptist Church of Birmingham, located at the corner of Lakeshore and 31. When you enter their parking lot, go to the "back" of the lot (opposite the side facing Lakeshore) and that is the entrance to the church. Supplies are being collected there.

Shades Mountain Baptist Church is also collecting supplies in their foyer which is located at the corner of Columbiana Rd and Canyon Rd (turn left onto Columbiana from Lakeshore, go up the hill and you will see the church on your left)
******************************************************************************
Consider donating to either the employee emergency assistance fund or the student emergency assistance fund.

Employee Assistance Fund Giving Form
(This is the “Other Designation” page; donors must specify that they want to donate to the Employee Assistance Fund.)

Student Emergency Assistance Fund Giving Form

****************************************************************************************************

Mission Birmingham http://missionbirmingham.jimdo.com/  is also collecting supplies for distribution in disaster areas and is seeking volunteers to come help put together care packages.
****************************************************************************************************

Family Voices of Alabama has set up a special donation and assistance page to assist families with special health care needs children that may have been affected by the tornadoes. You can learn more at http://www.familyvoicesal.org/

****************************************************************************************************
Ashley Gassner in Brooks 122 is collecting items for magiccitymom.com relief efforts. They are putting together care packages for children. Abi Williams in Brooks Hall 107 is collecting infant and child items for the relief efforts through birminghammommy.com and MOMS Market.

SERVE:
Samford Gives Back volunteer shirts remain available to you at the Hub in the University Center from 8:00 am - 8:00 pm 7 days a week. We have ordered more shirts (size small and mediums that ran out so fast, even some XXLs for some of our big strong athletes!) so there should be no shortage. Please do pick up a shirt if you've not already done so. These shirts clearly identify you as a legitimate volunteer compared to unwelcomed sightseers or worse, looters. Make sure your shirt and your actions show that you are there to do good work. Please also remember to wear closed toed shoes if you are going into the community for volunteer work.

Don’t question or ask what you will be doing. Simply come with a servant heart, ready to do what needs to be done.

****************************************

Student Amanda Garbus has organized this opportunity:

YMCA Camp Cosby is gathering a group to go down to the communities surrounding Tuscaloosa on Saturday May 7. We will be meeting at 8am in the Rotunda Parking Lot to load supplies and equipment to take to these hard hit areas such as Holt, Alberta, Peterson, and Snoddy. While there we will also be helping tarp roofs, search through the rubble, and provide first aid THOSE WITH FIRST AID EXPERIENCE ARE GREATLY NEEDED. Also we are in need of some necessary supplies: FIRST AID SUPPLIES, food that does not need to be heated, water, baby supplies (bottles, diapers, formula, and wipes), feminine products (especially pads), CANDLES, NAILS, and HAMMERS. We are also trying to collect supplies for the children in the Holt community such as candy, coloring books, and crayons. If you are interested in volunteering please wear long pants, closed toed shoes, and your Samford Gives Back shirt. BRING YOUR OWN GLOVES and if possible a hammer and a bag of nails. To learn more or if you want to drop off supplies contact Amanda Gargus at agargus@samford.edu LOVE THY NEIGHBOR!!!!

*****************************************

Birmingham Baptist Association Meal preparation desperately needed: Food Trailer is stationed at 4825 Avenue W Ensley Just behind Fire station #20 near the fairgrounds. There are four shifts available for volunteers, with the two greatest needs the 5:00am shift and the 6:00pm shift. This will take place at least through this week. If you can form a team to assist with any one of these shifts, please contact Bill Morrison at bmorrison@alsbom.org.

1st shift: 5am-10am, Preparation of 3000 meals

2nd shift: 10am-1:30pm, Preparation of 3000 meals

3rd shift: 1:30pm-5:00pm, Preparation of 3000 meals

4th shift: 6pm-10pm, Clean up and preparation for following day
*******************************************************

Chainsaw crews needed: Assist in removing trees from property. If students don’t have access to a chainsaw, they can drag limbs to the curb. Saturday will be the biggest day for this work. Wear appropriate work clothes and closed toes shoes. Central Park Baptist Church; 1900 43rd Street in Ensley at 9:00 am through Friday and 8:00 am on Saturday.
***********************************************************

Samford Greek Community is being asked to partipate in Alabama Greeks for service in the Tuscaloosa area. Melissa Carlisle and Director of Greek Life Dr. Denny Bubrig are coordinating this effort. Students are not to skip class to participate! However, if you are available, you can learn more about this initial work day this Thursday at the facebook event page:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=199093363460014

*******************************************************

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT The Foundry http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Foundry/97815266274 : Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we will be sorting/sizing clothing donations at Bessemer City Hall Auditorium located on the corner of 18th Street North and 3rd Avenue. We need volunteers to help sort and size from 8:30 AM until 8:30 PM. All you need to do is show up. Email mandrews@thefoundryonline.org if you can help

************************************
From the Alabama Baptist Fellowship:

McDonald's Chapel outside of Birmingham is an isolated community without much help. We have heard that 35 homes were destroyed, additional damage done to most of the other houses and at least six dead. We have identified them as one area where we will be doing extensive long-term work to restore their housing.
There is an IMMEDIATE need for debris removal, clean-up, supplies, and people to come and listen and talk with these victims. If you want to help right away, we need people to come (bring your own supplies - chain saws, gloves, bags, water, gas, etc) on Thursday, May 5 at 1 pm, and then all day Friday, May 6 and Saturday, May 7 starting at 9 am. Mart Gray of Covenant Church will be organizing these few days of activity (contact: mart@troycable.net or 334-806-8118). We do anticipate more work days in the future. You are encouraged to be updated on your tetanus shot.
 

**************************************************************************************

BB&T bank will sponsor a blood drive with the American Red Cross on Tuesday, May 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Shades Valley Branch, 2501 20th Place South, Birmingham, Ala., 35223
*************************************
Critical need for psychiatrist and TRAINED shock, grief and depression counselors in Pratt City. Please call Anne Lucas at 205-746-6850 if you are qualified and can help.
*************************************

United Way is looking for volunteers to man their 2-1-1 phone line, Students can email their availability to 211volunteer@uwca.org to sign up for a 4 he shift (any times are appreciated).
Students will be trained to answer phones at the emergency hotline to direct calls as necessary
***************************************************
Hands On Birmingham has specific site needs available for volunteers. If you've not already formed a volunteer team or signed up as an individual you can do so here:

http://www.handsonbirmingham.org/specialevents/viewSpecialEvent.php?_mode=eventDetail&_action=eventDetail&ixSpecialEvent=423

****************************************************************************************************
Timely updates on additional service and resource needs are being posted on the Christian Service Mission facebook site. Addresses where you can drive to and go into the community from a set location are also listed. http://www.facebook.com/ChristianServiceMission . Literally the needs change by the minute so be sure to sign up for their updates. CS Mission is reaching into Birmingham, Cullman, Tuscaloosa, and the smallest cities in between. The best thing is to sign for their daily email newsletter which lists the service sites, instructions for volunteering, as well as the day's most pressing donation needs. From there, simply show up, individually or as a group, or follow instructions given in the email to fulfill one of the needs they share.
****************************************************************************************************
Birmingham Baptist Disaster Relief http://bbaonline.org/dr is offering training for disaster relief deployment.
****************************************************************************************************
MPower Ministries has set up a medical clinic in Pratt City and needs medical volunteers as well as chaplains, pastors, and pastoral counselors. Find out how to help at http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Satellite-Clinic-in-Pratt-City.html?soid=1101981087329&aid=3c0yI-dUwTY or contact Ryan Hankins at ryan.hankins@mpowerministries.org  .

****************************************************************

Samaritan's Purse/Mission Birmingham will continue to send daily teams every weekday from 7 am and 1 pm.
(This is the group that meets at Garywood Assembly of God at 2730 Allison-Bonnet Memorial Drive, Hueytown, 35023)

****************************************************************
Medical volunteers can sign up at Alabama Department of Public Health http://www.adph.org/volunteer/Default.asp?id=2760

****************************************************************

PRAY:
Take a moment to reflect on those affected by these storms, including members of the Samford community by viewing today's guided prayer video at  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JeF5LZHg_0 .
****************************

Please remember that counseling is available should you need to talk to someone during this time. Please call Counseling at x2065, located in temporary offices on the 3rd floor of the University Center, in the Career Development Center conference room area.

Continue to check www.samford.edu for information about how you can donate and serve through a variety of local agencies as well as assist students, faculty, and staff at Samford through donating to the emergency assistance fund. I will continue to update you daily on additional ways you can give, serve, and pray as we join hearts and hands in support of the greater community around us.

Renie Porter Moss, Assistant Dean for Campus Life
Samford University
800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, AL 35229
(205) 726-2116
samford.orgsync.comhttp://samford.orgsync.com
 

Samford Community,

It is not about the experience we gain from performing service but the service and love we provide to others in the process. It has been inspiring to me to hear the stories of what volunteers have been doing in the last few days. While it is inspiring to see the outpouring of love and service to the communities in need, it is most inspiring to me to hear from volunteers how their own perspective is forever changed by their experience. My prayer is that we will all feel a calling to reflect on our role in this world and how we might be willing to change our daily roles to be more Christ-like. At tomorrow's worship service (read below), you will be able to see pictures and hear the stories of how we are changing lives in our service to the community right now.

Samford Gives Back volunteer shirts remain available to you at the Hub in the University Center from 8:00 am - 8:00 pm 7 days a week. We have ordered more shirts so there should be no shortage. Please do pick up a shirt if you've not already done so. These shirts clearly identify you as a legitimate volunteer compared to unwelcomed sightseers or worse, looters. Make sure your shirt shows that you are there to do good work.

Please also remember to wear closed toed shoes if you are going into the community for volunteer work.

Don’t question or ask what you will be doing. Simply come with a servant heart, ready to do what needs to be done.

SERVE:
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT The Foundry: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we will be sorting/sizing clothing donations at Bessemer City Hall Auditorium located on the corner of 18th Street North and 3rd Avenue. We need volunteers to help sort and size from 8:30 AM until 8:30 PM. All you need to do is show up. Email mandrews@thefoundryonline.org if you can help.

************************************
BB&T bank will sponsor a blood drive with the American Red Cross on Tuesday, May 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Shades Valley Branch, 2501 20th Place South, Birmingham, Ala., 35223

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The Birmingham Baptist Assoc and Baptist Health System have set up a medical unit, feeding stations and supply distribution center at Scott Elementary School in Pratt City--Hwy 78 and Hibernan Street. If you can assist as medical professional, checking in patients, distributing food and supplies please come tomorrow beginning at 6:30 AM.

Critical need for psychiatrist and TRAINED shock, grief and depression counselors in Pratt City. Please call Anne Lucas at 205-746-6850 if you are qualified and can help.

Also there is a big need for people to man the Birmingham Baptist Association feeding unit 3825 Ave W in West End behind the fire station---other volunteer needs exist also.

************************************************
United Way is looking for volunteers to man their 2-1-1 phone line, Students can email their availability to 211volunteer@uwca.org to sign up for a 4 he shift (any times are appreciated).
Students will be trained to answer phones at the emergency hotline to direct calls as necessary
****************************************************************************************************

Hands On Birmingham has specific site needs available for volunteers. If you've not already formed a volunteer team or signed up as an individual you can do so here:

http://www.handsonbirmingham.org/specialevents/viewSpecialEvent.php?_mode=eventDetail&_action=eventDetail&ixSpecialEvent=423

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>From Alabama Possible<http://alabamapossible.org/2011/04/tornado-relief-how-you-can-help/> you can review numerous links to community agencies and register online for volunteer opportunities that will communicated to you as soon as they are able to create opportunities for registered individuals and groups.
****************************************************************************************************

Timely updates on additional service and resource needs are being posted on the Christian Service Mission facebook site. Addresses where you can drive to and go into the community from a set location are also listed. http://www.facebook.com/ChristianServiceMission
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Birmingham Baptist Disaster Relief<http://bbaonline.org/dr> is offering training for disaster relief deployment.
****************************************************************************************************
Come to Christian Service Mission headquarters at 3600 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham 35222. From there they will direct you to where you can go for cleanup efforts, serve hot meals, etc. Relief efforts are daily from 7:00 am - 8:00 pm each weekday. We will be serving in the following communities with additional communities that may be added based on communicated needs each day:

Pleasant Grove
Wylam
Hueytown
Pratt City
Moody
Cordova
****************************************************************

Samaritan's Purse/Mission Birmingham will continue to send daily teams every weekday from 7 am and 1 pm.

(This is the group that meets at Garywood Assembly of God at 2730 Allison-Bonnet Memorial Drive, Hueytown, 35023)

****************************************************************

Medical volunteers can sign up at Alabama Department of Public Healthhttp://www.adph.org/volunteer/Default.asp?id=2760

****************************************************************
 

For those of you who have been interested in helping out the Tuscaloosa area. The main Tuscaloosa area seems to be pretty covered by volunteers. We know that the smaller surrounding communities are in need. The best way to find out about needs in the Tuscaloosa area is by twitter at one or more of the following accounts:

ua_greek_relief
tuscaloosanews
TheCrimsonWhite
tuscaloosacity

uasga

GIVE:
Samford Gives Back truck will be parked in the lower lot from 8-9 am on Tuesday morning but after that it will be driven to Mission Birmingham to drop off donations. We will not man a donation truck after tomorrow morning. Instead we will direct your donations to area churches and business that will maintain donation sites on a regular basis in the coming weeks. Donations that are DESPERATELY needed as of 5/2/11 are as follows. We are no longer accepting clothing as the service agencies have indicated that is not a primary need right now:

• Diapers of all sizes, adult and infant, and wet wipes

• Bottled and Gallon Drinking Water

• Tarps of all sizes

• Sunscreen

• Rubbermaid containers of all sizes

• Coolers

• Batteries

• Personal care products (soap, wipes, deodorant, toothpaste, combs, brushes, etc)

• Feminine care products

• Cleaning supplies

• First-aid items

• Bug spray

• Trash bags and ziploc storage bags of all sizes

• New towels, baby formula, food, and bottles, linens, laundry detergent


****************************************************************************************************

Mission Birmingham<http://missionbirmingham.jimdo.com/> is also collecting supplies for distribution in disaster areas and is seeking volunteers to come help put together care packages.
****************************************************************************************************

Family Voices of Alabama has set up a special donation and assistance page to assist families with special health care needs children that may have been affected by the tornadoes. You can learn more at http://www.familyvoicesal.org/

****************************************************************************************************
Ashley Gassner in Brooks 122 and Abi Williams in Brooks Hall 107 are collecting infant and child items for birminghammommy.com's relief efforts. You can learn more at http://magiccitymom.com/2011/05/moms-for-children-helping-the-children-affected-by-the-alabama-tornados/

PRAY:
Tuesday May 3rd at 10:00am in Reid Chapel there will be a prayer service for those affected by recent storms. This is not a Convocation event, but simply a service for faculty, staff and students to join together to pray for those in our community who are suffering and in need.

****************************
I encourage you to go to the Christian Service Mission facebook page and Mission Birmingham's page and view some of the pictures of the relief efforts. There are also pictures of homes and families affected. When you do, remember that these people are experiencing grief, anxiety of missing loved ones, or lack of resources for the foreseeable future. Pray for them that their hearts would be comforted by the love of Christ and through the love and support offered to them by all of us in their time of need.
 

********************************

Reports from Tuscaloosa say that there are still 75 Bama Dining employees that they have not been able to reach and there are fears of additional fatalities among their dining staff. Pray specifically for the University of Alabama family.
********************************

Please remember that counseling is available should you need to talk to someone during this time. Please call Counseling at x2065, located in temporary offices on the 3rd floor of the University Center, in the Career Development Center conference room area.

Continue to check www.samford.edu<http://www.samford.edu> for information about how you can donate and serve through a variety of local agencies as well as assist students, faculty, and staff at Samford through donating to the emergency assistance fund. I will continue to update you daily on additional ways you can give, serve, and pray as we join hearts and hands in support of the greater community around us.

Renie Porter Moss, Assistant Dean for Campus Life
Samford University
800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, AL 35229
(205) 726-2116
samford.orgsync.comhttp://samford.orgsync.com
 

Samford Community,
So many of us are hearing of needs and the natural initial reaction is to simply act before considering how the act in the most helpful way. The disaster and service experts are telling us to volunteer through organized agencies and not to go out on our own. You will be turned away if you do act on your own. Although your intentions are good, understand that these disaster areas must be controlled for protection and out of respect for the affected citizens, what property they may have left, and to provide organization to the service initiatives now underway. There are opportunities to serve and here are ways encourage the Samford community to go forth and serve. Form a group of student organization members, gather your faculty or staff department, or gather age appropriate members of your family together and simply show up at one of the designated places listed below, ready to serve. The most recent need posted is medical volunteers so please note the link below if you have a medical expertise area that can be of service.

Don’t question or ask what you will be doing. Simply come with a servant heart, ready to do what needs to be done.

SERVE:
There is a need for help in the Disaster area to clean and set up the command center in Pratt City on Saturday. If you would like to participate, you need to come to the HUB in the University Center at 7:00 am Saturday morning to receive a Samford service t-shirt that will identify you as a legitimate volunteer in the Disaster area. T-shirts are on a rush to be printed and will be delivered late tonight to make our 7:00 am deadline. Community officials communicated that volunteers need to have some kind of “uniform” to identify them as legitimate volunteers in these hard hit areas. Meet at the listed address to be involved with these cleanup efforts. If you are not able to come to the HUB tomorrow morning, be sure to wear a Samford t-shirt of some kind so that you can be identified as a designated volunteer. We will have cleaning supplies to take to this command center as well and will give them to the volunteers that will be headed that way. Please carpool to the site as parking is likely to be limited.

After obtaining your t-shirt at the HUB, go directly to

Holy Trinity World Outreach (take 20/59 toward Tuscaloosa, take US 78/Arkadelphia Rd exit off of 20/59, turn left on to US 78, turn left onto 16th Avenue West )
1010 16th Ave West
Birmingham, AL 35204
In case you have trouble finding the church - Phone number of Pastor Eric Harris (205) 515-6781

Volunteers arriving at that site will be sorted and divided into work groups to assist with disaster relief. Come dressed ready to work and willing to do whatever you are directed to do.

*************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Christian Service Mission (3600 3rd Ave. S.) has asked for volunteers to come at 10:00 AM on Saturday morning to help receive donations and help sort and organize donations so that they can be quickly sent out for distribution. It is likely that volunteers may be directed to service sites as well to prepare and deliver meals to the hard hit communities. No matter the number that shows up Saturday morning, there will be work to do and volunteers will be vital to the operation. By tomorrow morning they anticipate designated work sites in disaster areas as well so volunteers that come at 10:00 am may be diverted to work the disaster areas. You also need to come to the HUB in the University Center between 8:00 – 9:00 am to receive a Samford service t-shirt that will identify you as a legitimate volunteer in the Disaster area should you be sent into the community. Community officials communicated that volunteers need to have some kind of “uniform” to identify them as legitimate volunteers in these hard hit areas.
In just the last 24 hours the Christian Service Mission served an estimated 2000 meals. Efforts are increasing so they need volunteers to help ramp up efforts to expand on Saturday.
********************************************************************************************************************************************************************
From Alabama Possible  you can review numerous links to community agencies and register online for volunteer opportunities that will communicated to you as soon as they are able to create opportunities for registered individuals and groups.
Timely updates on additional service and resource needs are being posted on the Christian Service Mission facebook site. http://www.facebook.com/ChristianServiceMission

Sign up to volunteer through Hands on Birmingham

Birmingham Baptist Disaster Relief is offering training for disaster relief deployment.
********************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Medical volunteers can sign up at Alabama Department of Public Health

GIVE:
Beginning at 5:00 pm, Saturday morning a 24 foot truck will be parked in the Wright Center parking lot with a banner designated it as a site for donations of the following items:

• Diapers of all sizes, adult and infant, and wet wipes

• Bottled and Gallon Drinking Water

• Non-Perishable food

• Personal care products (soap, wipes, deodorant, toothpaste, combs, brushes, etc)

• Feminine care products

• Cleaning supplies

• First-aid items

• Work gloves

• Clothing (t-shirts, pants, socks, undergarments, etc.)
• Other times that can be for immediate need (new towels, baby formula, food, and bottles, linens, laundry detergent,
********************************************************************************************************************************************************************

At the Avett Brothers Concert on Saturday night, collection efforts will continue and the Avett Brothers themselves have agreed to donate autographed guitar, banjo, and concert posters, that will be given away in a drawing. Your donation of money or items listed below will provide you with an opportunity to participate in this drawing. All proceeds will be provided to the Christian Service Mission. Donations can be dropped at the Samford Gives Back truck.
********************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Mission Birmingham is also collecting supplies for distribution in disaster areas and is seeking volunteers to come help put together care packages. We understand that they are also putting together service site initiatives and will communicate with Samford as soon as these needs are known so that we may assist.
********************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Dawson Memorial Baptist Church is sponsoring a much needed blood drive on Sunday, May 1st 7:30am – 12:30 pm. Look for signs in front of the church which is located at 1114 Oxmoor Rd in Homewood.

*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

The Samford Gives Back donation truck will remain the lower stadium parking lot by the west gate until Tuesday morning to continue to collect donations so employees as you go home for the weekend, consider returning on Monday with donations you and your family have gathered. I know for my young children, this is a learning opportunity to teach them in a simple way, what hearts and hands of Christian love and service can look like, even at the age of 3 and 5.

*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Family Voices of Alabama has set up a special donation and assistance page to assist families with special health care needs children that may have been affected by the tornadoes. You can learn more at http://www.familyvoicesal.org/

PRAY:
In speaking to one fellow employee who was walking across campus today, he introduced me to his son, who is a student at the University of Alabama. The student shared with me his story of being in his basement as his college house in Tuscaloosa was blown away above him. There are no words that could accurately describe his experience and the experience of so many others in our communities. In the midst of so much tragedy, it is important to remember to thank God for his mercy and grace in during this difficult time. Please continue to pray for the victims but also pray for our community that we may show the love of Christ in our efforts to serve others.

Tuesday May 3rd at 10:00am in Reid Chapel there will be a prayer service for those affected by recent storms. This is not a Convocation event, but simply a service for faculty, staff and students to join together to pray for those in our community who are suffering and in need.

Please remember that counseling is available should you need to talk to someone during this time. Please call Counseling at x2065, located in temporary offices on the 3rd floor of the University Center, in the Career Development Center conference room area.

Continue to check www.samford.edu  for information about how you can donate and serve through a variety of local agencies as well as assist students, faculty, and staff at Samford through donating to the emergency assistance fund. I will continue to update you daily on additional ways you can give, serve, and pray as we join hearts and hands in support of the greater community around us.

Renie Porter Moss, Assistant Dean for Campus Life
Samford University
800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, AL 35229
(205) 726-2116
samford.orgsync.com
 

Dear Samford Community,

There is a tremendous desire among us to do something, anything, that would offer assistance to our surrounding communities during this time of great need. If you’ve watched the news, no doubt you have heard that volunteers are not being allowed into the hard hit areas as the basic work of emergency recovery must be completed and quickly. After that, we know there will be weeks, if not months of service outreach efforts that we will call upon each of you to consider. Last night I shared with you that today I would communicate needs that are vital to the disaster response at this current time. Each day I will do this, as we work to identify ways we can continue to be of the greatest assistance to the affected communities. For today, here are several ways I would ask you direct your time and attention. I invite you to consider one or more of these three ways you can participate in the work that is ahead of us.

GIVE:
The Christian Service Mission, located at 3600 3rd Avenue South in Birmingham is partnered with numerous churches, community and neighborhood agencies and regularly provides assistance to communities in the form of food, goods, services, shelter, education, you name it. If you participated in the recent Samford Gives Back Day of service, you likely participated in a site that was coordinated by Christian Service Mission.

Pharmacy Students – Tomorrow you have BBQ lunch and band at noon. Dr. Mike Kendrach has asked you to consider bringing donations of items listed below to support relief efforts. All proceeds will be provided to the Christian Service Mission.

At the Avett Brothers Concert on Saturday night, collection efforts will continue and the Avett Brothers themselves have agreed to donate autographed guitar, banjo, and concert posters, that will be given away in a drawing. Your donation of money or items listed below will provide you with an opportunity to participate in this drawing. All proceeds will be provided to the Christian Service Mission.

Only these items will be accepted for donation:
• Diapers of all sizes
• Bottled and Gallon Drinking Water
• Non-Perishable food
• Personal care products (soap, wipes, toothpaste, combs, brushes, etc)
• Feminine care products
• Clothing (t-shirts, pants, undergarments, etc.)
• Socks
• Other times that can be for immediate need (new towels, linens, laundry detergent, etc)

SERVE:
Christian Service Mission (3600 3rd Ave. S.) has asked for volunteers to come at 10:00 AM on Saturday morning to help receive donations and help sort and organize donations so that they can be quickly sent out for distribution. Director Tracy Hipps stated that trucks from area churches will be arriving with donations (we’ll be one of those trucks at the start of next week after our collection), and he expects volunteers will be needed to help gather items from cargo trucks, car trunks, whatever pulls up to the curb. No matter the number that shows up Saturday morning, Tracy Hipps says that there will be work to do and volunteers will be vital to the operation.   

From Alabama Possible you can review numerous links to community agencies and register online for volunteer opportunities that will communicated to you as soon as they are able to create opportunities for registered individuals and groups.

PRAY:
It is likely that you heard from at least one person that had a personal connection to the tragedies across the state and perhaps in states prior to the storms that affected Alabama this week. Our own Samford family has been affected as employees, students, and alumni have shared how the storms have damaged or destroyed their homes, and tragically, the lives of loved ones as well.

Tomorrow both Reid Chapel and Hodges Chapel will be open from 12-1 for silent prayer. Students, faculty, staff and members of the Birmingham community who wish to join for silent prayer are invited to be present for any or all of that hour.

Tuesday May 3rd at 10:00am in Reid Chapel there will be a prayer service for those affected by recent storms. This is not a Convocation event, but simply a service for faculty, staff and students to join together to pray for those in our community who are suffering and in need.

Please know that counseling is available should you need to talk to someone during this time. Please call Counseling at x2065, located in temporary offices on the 3rd floor of the University Center, in the Career Development Center conference room area.

Continue to check www.samford.edu for information about how you can donate and serve through a variety of local agencies as well as assist students, faculty, and staff at Samford through donating to the emergency assistance fund. I will continue to update you daily on additional ways you can give, serve, and pray as we join hearts and hands in support of the greater community around us.

Renie Porter Moss, Assistant Dean for Campus Life
Samford University
800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, AL 35229
(205) 726-2116
samford.orgsync.com
 

Dear Campus Community,

We are aware of the great interest so many of our students and employees have to volunteer their time for disaster recovery. At this very hour, there are efforts underway to organize volunteers through local agencies and outreach ministries. We will be working with them to ensure that we are able provide the greatest service impact possible during this difficult time. We are in touch with disaster relief providers with a view toward coordinating volunteer efforts for this Saturday. We understand that this will be the optimal time for us to offer assistance, knowing that the next 24-48 hours will require Emergency Management (EMA) experts to complete post-event response responsibilities. Please watch your email for additional information on Thursday as we will communicate how you can join hearts and hands to offer valued assistance to the people and their communities affected by the storms this week.

Renie Moss
Asst. Dean for Campus Life
 

Church of the Highlands Adopt A Block program is hosting a Spring festival on Saturday May 7th. The festival will be held at Woodlawn High School. Church of the Highlands would love and appreciate some students to join them for the event. You would need to meet them at 8 that morning and they would love for you to stay as long as you are available.

They are looking for 30-40 people to help them that morning. If you are interested in serving at this event please contact serve@samford.edu and provide us with your name and email. We will follow up with you and ensure that you have the proper address. 

Thank you for your willingness to serve alongside a great mission! 

Campus Dining just donated several really awesome catering platters to be given away at Org Day tomorrow.  Also added to the mix are free combos from Five Guys Burgers.  See you tomorrow!

SGA Campaign Speeches will be held TODAY in Brock Forum at 5:00pm.  Convo credit will be available.

Please take advantage of this opportunity to learn about the candidates before elections on March 28 and 29.

Questions?  Contact Janna Pennington, SGA Advisor, at jpenning@samford.edu.

Looking for service hours?

Join us this Saturday, March 5, 2011 from 10:30am-2pm at NorthStar Youth Ministries for a work day. We will be doing work around the house organizing as well as yard work. Snacks and a possible lunch will be provided. We would be more than happy for you to drop in and out as you please. We are hoping for great weather! It should be a great day!! If you are wanting to join us, please email sedwards@samford.edu<mailto:sedwards@samford.edu> so that we have an estimate on how many to expect.
 

All,
Please see the email below from the Career Center-the flyer for this event is in the "files" section for your reference.
Denny

Denny,

I was wondering if you could help me with something. Our annual Career Fair is Thursday, March 3, from 9:00am – 1:00pm in the Pete Hanna Center-South Colonnade. I have attached a flyer with more details. I would love to get this information out to the Greek Presidents, so that may announce it at their chapter meetings this weekend.

Students will need to be dressed business casual at minimum (slacks and a button down shirt) or business professional (suit). Also, we recommend that students bring several copies of their resume to distribute to employers. Registered employers may be viewed online at www.samfordbulldogs.org/events, and we suggest that students do some company research in advance.

Thanks in advance!
Lindsay

Lindsay Seaborn, M.S.

Career Coordinator

Career Development Center

Samford University

Tel: (205) 726-2578

Fax: (205) 726-2842

E-Mail: lcseabor@samford.edu

www.samfordbulldogs.org