Grants from Bama Rising Fund total $940K in first six months after tornadoes � Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham

Grants from Bama Rising Fund total $940K in first six months after tornadoes � Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham: The Bama Rising Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham is awarding an additional $340,000 to repair, rebuild and furnish homes for 75 families in 12 counties devastated by April 2011 tornadoes. With this third round of grants, this Advised Fund of the Community Foundation has awarded a total of $940,000 in 18 counties out of $2.1 million raised in a June 2011 benefit concert organized and headlined by the band ALABAMA. Current grants are:

Mass. tornado claims rises to $175 million - Boston.com

Mass. tornado claims rises to $175 million - Boston.com: "BOSTON—The financial toll from tornadoes that ravaged Springfield and several smaller Massachusetts communities has risen to an estimated $175 million.



The state's Division of Insurance estimated Wednesday that residents and businesses have filed 9,500 insurance claims for damage caused by the June 1 tornadoes, making it the state's costliest natural disaster in recent memory."

Tornado Unemployment Benefits 2011

Tornado Unemployment Benefits 2011: "Employees who are out of work due to tornado damage may be eligible for either regular unemployment benefits or disaster unemployment assistance. In addition, filing and waiting periods may be expedited for disaster victims. For example, Missouri has waived the waiting period to collect benefits in two counties.

Here's information on how to file for unemployment benefits in your state and a list of State Unemployment Offices."

FEMA opens Disaster Relief Center

FEMA opens Disaster Relief Center: "The Federal Emergency Management Agency opened up a Disaster Recovery Center for residents whose homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed during the April 22 tornado."

Joplin, Missouri, Tornado: How You Can Help Online

Joplin, Missouri, Tornado: How You Can Help Online: "If you can’t get on the ground to help in person, social media offers ways to help those most in need. You can also check out Mashable‘s original post for ways you can help victims of other recent tornadoes. Below we’ve collected some quick ways you can support those in Missouri."

Thrivent Financial Commits up to $275,000 for Tornado Disaster Relief - PR Newswire - sacbee.com

Thrivent Financial Commits up to $275,000 for Tornado Disaster Relief - PR Newswire - sacbee.com: "MINNEAPOLIS, May 10, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has committed up to $275,000 for disaster relief in response to tornadoes that ripped through Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and Tennessee on April 27. The funding includes up to $250,000 designed to supplement funding through Thrivent Financial chapter service teams nationwide, and $25,000 in additional 'Care in Regions' funding to be used for volunteer activities coordinated by Thrivent Financial staff in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and Tennessee."

David Spade Donates $200,000 for Tornado Relief - Celebrity News - UsMagazine.com

David Spade Donates $200,000 for Tornado Relief - Celebrity News - UsMagazine.com: "David Spade has reached into his pocket to make a charitable donation of $200,000 to the American Red Cross for disaster relief. The actor's monetary support will go towards those affected by the 178-some tornadoes that ripped through the midwestern and southeastern United States during April 27-28, killing hundreds and stranding thousands."

How to Help Survivors of Tornadoes in US

How to Help Survivors of Tornadoes in US: "Over the past couple of days, the spring tornado season reached some kind of epic peak when storms raked the southern states. The heart breaking death toll has reached historic levels, rivaling those of some hurricanes, while property damage will run into the billions.

Here is how you can help the survivors pick up the pieces."

What you can do to support tornado recovery efforts in the South | Case Foundation

What you can do to support tornado recovery efforts in the South | Case Foundation: "Today, thousands of people in the South are trying to recover from one of the deadliest series of tornado strikes in recent US history. More than 170 tornadoes were reported in one night and as of this morning news sources report that at least 298 people in six different states have died as a result. The devastation is immense with the Red Cross reporting that in Alabama alone, between 1,000-1,500 homes have been severely damaged or destroyed."