Cardwell column praises tornado aid efforts

St. Paul School's aid to tornado victims won praise in Jewell Cardwell's column in Saturday's Beacon Journal. She wrote:

A very special salute to the students and staff at Akron's St. Paul Catholic Elementary school or their volunteerism and generosity on behalf of those families devastated by the Alabama tornadoes.

"We wanted to help in any way possible," said Ruth Dietzel, St. Paul kindergarten teacher. "After contacting Christine Salberg, Department of Catholic Education, we planned a "Tornado Relief Week," which included a benefit concert put on by the group Strangely Familiar.

"Our principal, Bob Brodbeck left Sunday with Father Ralph Thomas to deliver the food, personal items, baby food, diapers, wipes, sunscreen, toothbrushes and clothes [collected by the school]. In addition, the students raised $1,500 [bringing in loose change, cleaning supplies and the like] that is also being delivered. Students also made cards, gifts, and wrote personal messages of support to the children affected by the tornado that hit the Birmingham area."

Damage from the April 27 storms, where 38 of the state's 67 counties were declared disaster areas, has been placed in the millions.

The death toll in the twisters that ripped through seven southern states has been placed at 295,

Hats off to all who continue to do what they can to help the storm survivors with their recovery.