While the storms and tornados that ravaged the Birmingham area Monday morning had little effect on the Brewton area, Brewton residents can have a big effect for those the storms did hit.
Merle Norman in Brewton is serving as a drop spot for residents who want to make donations for tornado victims.  The business is located on 818 Douglas Avenue.
Mary Catherine Hart, an employee at Merle Norman, is organizing the drop off donations for the business.
“I teamed up with ‘Toomer’s for Tuscaloosa’ last year when the storms hit Tuscaloosa,” Hart said. “We just need plastic totes for people to put things in that they want to salvage from their homes. Also, we need baby items like toys, blankets, new clothes, bouncers and any non-perishable foods. We do not need any bottled water.”
Hart said her mother is serving as CEO for Toomer’s for Tuscaloosa and her help with the storms last April made her want to help after the storms this week.
“I live here now and just wanted to help out and get on board,” Hart said.
Hart said the first truck of donations will be sent in two weeks, but have not had any donations dropped off yet.
“We have two warehouses with one being in Tuscaloosa and one in Birmingham,” she said. “This truck will go to those affected in the Trussville area.”
Hart said other plans are in the works to start drop off points at Flomaton High School and T.R. Miller High School as well as Jefferson Davis Community College. Exact plans for those locations have not been made.
Merle Norman is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
As of Friday, no donations had been dropped off at the location. Hart said donations and supplies would be needed for weeks following the disaster seen in the central and northern part of the state.
Donations will continue to be taken until word of ample supplies are received.
For more information, contact Hart at Merle Norman at 867-2923 or by cell at 727-1836.
Toomer’s for Tuscaloosa provides material support and relief to the residents of the South and Mid-South affected by the April, May and August storms of 2011.
According to their Facebook page, Toomer’s For Tuscaloosa is now a nationwide grassroots network thanks to the dedicated volunteers and the generous outpouring of people all over the country.
Any funds collected will be used for the sole purpose of meeting that mission unless otherwise specified in a specific fundraising drive for other locations across the country that have been affected by disaster, Hart said.
Toomer’s For Tuscaloosa, Inc. is a non-profit corporation operating in the state of Alabama.
To make a financial contribution by mail, send all correspondence to:
Toomer’s for Tuscaloosa
107 Meadow Croft Circle
Birmingham, AL 35242
Those who wish to donate may also contact volunteers by email at toomersfortuscaloosa@yahoo.com
Alabama has had tornadoes in January in eight of the last 10 years, and there have been 90 January tornadoes since 1950.
Any additional information on relief efforts may also be obtained by contacting the American Red Cross at their offices on Douglas Avenue, just blocks north of the Merle Norman location.