helping Selma helping Selma

Saturday, January 28, members, staff and friends of the Alabama Society of CPAs teamed up in a coordinated effort to bring some relief to Selma, Alabama.

After a tornado tore through the small town, leaving much destruction in its path, there was a sense of wanting to help, but not knowing where to start.

“Anytime you hear of such destruction and devastation, you immediately want to help,” said Jeannine Birmingham. “We made contact early with Church Street United Methodist Church and coordinated our efforts with them to both fill their greatest need, and not rush in too soon to be in the way.”

Church Street United Methodist Church, who was also serving as a Volunteer Resource Center (VRC), coordinated weekend projects like this one to allow their resident volunteers time to rest and recharge. “We were happy to fill that need,” said Jeannine.

Early Saturday morning, with the help of Regions Bank and their “big ‘ole grill,” a fire was lit and hamburgers and hotdogs began to cook. Our volunteers cooked and packaged 1,000 meals that were then distributed to those volunteers helping in the community cleanup efforts that day, as well as neighbors who had lost everything. Small groups traveled out into the community and made sure those who needed it most received a warm lunch for that day, and sometimes even one or two to keep for dinner that night.

Regions Bank’s Central Alabama market executive, Robert Birmingham, said working with ASCPA was a great way to meet a specific need.

“ASCPA had the food, Regions had a grill, and both organizations had members wanting to help,” he said. “Selma is a historic community with an impact that is known far and wide, so we are grateful for the opportunity to give back to a community that means so much.”

“There are still a ton of people who are working to remove large debris items in the Selma area,” said Jeannine. “People of the community can see that organizations are coming together and collaborating resources, time, dollars, etcetera.”

Speaking of partners and collaborating - we would like to extend a special thank you to another partner who helped make this happen: Mike Hryniw of Montgomery, Manager of Piggly Wiggly’s Atlanta Highway location.

To see photos from the day, visit alabama.cpa/Selma.