The Dexter Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Winds of Hope
Dexter woman creates organization to help Tennessee tornado victims
By Sean Dalton, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: February 21, 2008
Dexter resident Donna Verna is doing the only thing she can, being so far away from areas of her native South ravaged by tornadoes earlier this month — she is trying to tap Michigan's philanthropic spirit.
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Verna, 48, created Winds of Hope to help the Tennessee victims who suffered from the destruction wrought by more than 100 tornadoes, along with residents of Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi and Alabama.
She saw the devastation hit very close to home while watching television.
"We were watching Canadian television news on Super Tuesday," Verna said. "Sometimes the news in Canada is better than in the U.S., so we were watching and all of a sudden I see Union University and the destruction in the area."
The Jackson, Tenn., campus is familiar stomping grounds for Verna, whose family lives less than half a mile away.
"My first thought was that there are very few basements in that area of Tennessee," she said. "My parents' home is the exception."
Her father, Tom Davis, was hiding friends and neighbors away in their precious underground space.
Her mother, Nancy Davis, was working her local polling location for the presidential primary election before realizing something was wrong when tennis ball-sized hail started coming down.
By the time the dust settled, 50 people across five states were dead and millions of dollars in damage was done to schools, businesses and homes.
Federal sources still don't have a total number of those displaced.
In the aftermath, Verna's family has been keeping her updated.
"There were teams of people going in to find anything salvageable, but decided it is just too much and bulldozers have just been coming in and clearing debris," Verna said.
"The people down there in Jackson and at the university need so much."
Verna's sons, Taylor, 15, and Brandon, 17; have been working on a relief effort through Dexter High School, while she has worked through the community.
"My sons and I put a lot of this together," she said. "I'm trying to include my boys as much as possible. It is as much a learning experience for them as it is helping others out."
There is a donation box at the Washtenaw County Road Commission building on Zeeb Road, another at Scio Community Church and another at Busch's in Dexter on Dexter-Ann Arbor Road.
"I haven't yet had another collection spot approved, but I'm working on three or four and we're looking for more," Verna said. "Anyone can call me for information (at 734-426-1441)."
Her family down south has been doing its part to help their neighbors, according to Verna.
Tom and Nancy, both 74 years old, have been making daily excursions into the wreckage to help with the relief effort, particularly at Union University, which was heavily damaged by the tornadoes, according to reports.
Verna's brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Lyn Davis, both 50, are two of many people who opened their homes to displaced college students, she said.
She drew a parallel between Michigan's and Tennessee's community attitude of pitching in and helping neighbors in crisis, as one of the reasons she was attracted to this state.
"We really hope people will reach out and donate to us, or donate the Red Cross or any other organization," Verna said.
Clothes, canned goods, cleaning supplies, garbage bags, personal hygiene products and new clothing (socks, T-shirts, pajamas, sweatshirts) and gift cards for Wal-Mart, Target and other general merchandise stores are needed.
Winds of Hope needs more donation box representatives to volunteer and businesses and public organizations to step forward and provide box locations.
Trucks will be delivering the first load of donations on March 1.
Verna said she would be glad to get the help where it's needed.
"I can also be a point person if someone wants to give financially. I can give them the name and address for the American Red Cross in Tennessee," she said.
"I just want to get relief to these people any way that I can."
Information on Recent Southern Tornadoes
On Feb. 5 and 6, a deadly tornado outbreak ravaged parts of the southern United States. At least 103 tornadoes caused severe destruction in four states and 18 counties, with over 35 deaths and hundreds more injured. The outbreak is the deadliest in the United States since 1985.
On Feb. 7, President Bush made a federal disaster declaration for 11 counties in Arkansas and five counties in Tennessee. Sixteen other counties in Tennessee have requested federal aid.
Union University in Jackson, Tenn., announced that of the 42 buildings on campus, they estimate $40 million in damage to 31 buildings. Amazingly, they plan to restart classes in less than two weeks. Local churches and private schools have opened their gymnasiums, etc. for UU students and sports teams. You can follow the updates by visiting www.uurecovery.com
With whom is Winds of Hope working to ensure my donation goes to people in need?
Winds of Hope - Tornado Relief is partnering with Union University, American Red Cross, TEMA (Tennessee Emergency Management Agency), local churches and other disaster relief agencies.
How are recipients of my donation selected?
Donations will be delivered to the agencies listed above that need certain items. These agencies determine the recipients. A paper trail will be maintained from Winds of Hope to each receiving agency to guarantee all donations are accounted for.
Whom can I call to ask questions?
Contact Donna Verna at 734-426-1441.
How are donations getting there?
The Verna family will take donated items in a trailer. If donations exceed this capacity, donations for trucks will be sought.
Where can I find donation boxes?
Call 734-426-1441 and ask for a box in your location.
Are donations tax-deductible?
Not at this time
Where can I send tax-deductible financial contributions?
The following donation agencies are tax-deductible:
American Red Cross, 4624 Packard Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, Attn: Tennessee Tornado Relief
Union University, Disaster Relief Fund, 1050 Union University Dr., Jackson, TN 38305
Citizen to Citizen c/o TEMA, 3041 Cidco Dr., Nashville, TN 37204 (100 percent of donations goes to families in need -no money is taken out for administrative purposes)
What about donating for injured or misplaced animals?
Macon Bank and Trust (615-666-2121) to donate for veterinary services
Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (www.cfmt.org) to donate for both human and animal relief.
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