In the Hebrew language, the word “Ebenezer” means “stone of help,” and for Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Selma, “helping” is exactly what they’re doing for the community.

During the month of June, the church’s adult and youth members travelled to Marengo, Sumter, Greene, Hale, Jefferson and Tuscaloosa Counties to give financial aid to 100 families devastated by April’s tornado fury.  The church presented each family with a $100 Visa debit card, totaling $10,000 in contributions.

The vision of the associate pastor James Perkins Jr., said the Cash Tornado Recovery Assistance Project, blessed many.

“Many volunteers gave time, talent and money to make it a success,” Perkins said. “Some gave time by being at the church several days to receive funds, some gave talent by assisting with, coordinating and managing the project, and some gave money. Contributions ranged from 22 cents to $2,500.”

Perkins also said Wal-Mart donated the cost of each Visa debit card.

Deacon board chairman Charles Johnson, who assisted Perkins in the program, said too much can never be done for those effected by violent weather.

“Even though the government resources are available to tornado victims, much more is needed,” Johnson said. “It’s a blessing for the church to be able to reach out and help people in the time of need.”

Ebenezer pastor the Rev. Frederick Douglas Reese said the team wanted to do something to assist those in need and to inform the community.

“We wanted to help without coming with material, but with financial support,” Reese said. “We looked at the individual homes that were affected and gave individual assistance.

“We’ve had positive comments from those who we’ve helped,” Reese said. “We’re very thankful to all persons who helped make this particular effort a success.”