St. Paul delivers aid to tornado victims

Erin and Devin Kelly help principal Robert Brodbeck fill a van Saturday with items donated by St. Paul students and families for Alabama tornado victims.

Students and faculty were greatly moved by the devastation the Alabama tornado's had on families and wanted to help in any way possible. After contacting Christine Salberg, Department of Catholic Education, Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama, they planned a "Tornado Relief Week" which included a benefit concert put on by the group The Strange Familiar.

Principal Robert Brodbeck left Sunday with the pastor, the Rev. Fr. Ralph Thomas, to deliver the food, personal items, baby food, diapers, wipes, sunscreen, toothbrushes, and clothes. In addition the students raised more than $1,500 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.

Mr. Brodbeck and Father Thomas are meeting on Tuesday, June 14, with Christine Salberg.

Here are the events staged during Tornado Relief Week:

Wednesday, May 25 – Benefit Concert in Parish Activity Center with The Strange Familiary, $8 admission

Thursday, May 26 – Let’$ Make CHANGE: Loose change around dthe house, in costs or anyhere was collected. This included 1200 penniesw.

Friday, May 27 – Spiritual Bouquet Day: A spiritual bouquet is an offering of prayers, sacrifices, and devotional acts by one person on behalf of another. Some offerings include Holy Hours, Saying the Rosary, a Day of Fasting and Acts of Charity.. Messages on cards added to be dtaken south.

Tuesday, May 31 – Daily Necessities; Items most needed by those who have been displaced by the disaster were collected

Wednesday, June 1 – Schools Days and Cleaning Supplies:. Any school supplies that went unused this past year were collected to assist victims. This included paper towels, buckets with lids, garbage bags, brooms and so forth.,

Thursday, June 2 – Last Call Collection for any Donations: Time needed to pack and prepare items to be taken to Alabama