As many Tuscaloosa and Birmingham residents salvage through remains and try to pull themselves together after last week’s horrific storms, local volunteers are still pitching in any way they can.

Donations poured in to First Baptist Church in Selma Monday, as members of the church helped to unload large 17-foot U-Haul trucks filled with diapers, clothes, water and food into its classroom building to aid those affected by the tornadoes.

“We couldn’t get through the door this morning,” said church music secretary Martha Miller as she walked over stuffed boxes filled with items to get to her office. “We’ve been taking donations since the weekend and it’s just been wonderful.”

Spearheaded by First Baptist members Kelly Patton and Tracy Stevens, who both have close ties with the area, relief efforts will continue throughout the week. Donations will be sent to Five Points Baptist Church in Northport for residents to pick up.

Elaine Hastings, church financial secretary, said the efforts show the true heart of the Dallas County community.

“Unfortunately, it takes a disaster like this for people to come together,” Hastings said. “We’re here to help each other and it’s great to know that we’re not the only ones in Selma taking donations. We wish we could do more.”

Jakki Caldwell-Phillips, executive director of the Black Belt Red Cross, said in Dallas County, there were 16 incidents of tornado damage reported, but Marengo County suffered more damage.

“We’ve had a total of 64 residents who were affected by the damage,” Phillips said. “We had 26 destroyed properties and 20 properties with minor damage. About 26 families came in for assistance and we provided home hardware, like tarps for minor home damage.”

“It’s only by the grace of God that the storms didn’t affect our area,” Miller said. “This effort shows we truly care and are concerned.”

The First Baptist staff will take donations from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. daily. If you would like to send a monetary donation to victims in Tuscaloosa, make checks payable to Five Points Baptist Church. Valley Grande residents will hold a “Treat for T-Town” bake sale on May 7 beginning at 9 a.m. at Valley Grande Park. All proceeds will go to the Tuscaloosa Red Cross. In honor of tornado season beginning June 1, any church or organization interested in disaster training courses are encouraged to call the American Red Cross at 874-4641.

For persons who want to send money, write checks payable to Five Points Baptist Church in Northport.