In years past, Orange Be
ach and Gulf Shores may have been the recipients of aid when dealing with the effects of hurricanes or the oil spill. Residents and visitors alike rallied to come to the aid of Alabama neighbors dealing with the devastation of the April 27 tornadoes. The generosity of people in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is shown in their immediate response to the needs of those in affected areas as well as their creativity in finding ways to help.
The founder of the Hangout Music Festival, and owner of the Hangout Restaurant, Shaul Zislin, turned his popular concert series, "Road to the Hangout Festival" into "Road to Relief" and collected over 6 bus loads of relief supplies and delivered them to the disaster areas. He also owns several SurfStyle retail stores and donated $25,000 of new garments to the United Way of West Alabama to be given to victims of the tornadoes. As he stated on BaldwinCountyNow.com, "The people in all of these areas have been loyal supporters of the Gulf Coast and we just wanted to do more."
The Shelby County Aviation Association had scheduled a fly-in to Gulf Shores for May 21. Upon news of the devastation caused by tornadoes, they changed the theme of the fly-in to one of a benefit to collect toys for children who lost everything on April 27. Motorcyclists headed by the Shelby County Airport manager also joined the efforts.
The Gulf Shores area mobilized for shipments of needed supplies. RE/MAX of Gulf Shores, the Alabama Gulf Coast Chamber, and the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism Welcome Center were set up as collection areas for relief supplies. The RE/MAX moving truck took the supplies to Tuscaloosa. Honours Golf, which includes the Craft Farms Golf Resort and the Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club in Gulf Shores, started a "Tee Off for Tornado Relief Fund". Golfers' donations were matched by Honours Golf and all funds were donated to the local Red Cross chapters for tornado relief.
These are just a very few of the efforts. The list goes on of local restaurants, banks, offices, churches, schools, hotels, resorts, etc. that immediately found ways to collect items and funds to aid those in need. A Facebook Page lists several ways to help the victims of the tornadoes and urges readers to pass the information along.
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are well known for beautiful beaches and sunshine. It is good that they can also be noted for generous and caring people. One can be proud to call such an area "home". I am ready with many great options to make Gulf Shores or Orange Beach your home. Give me a call today. Lance Steffek: 251-981-2225.
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