ServeAlabama.Gov

How to Donate and Volunteer Responsibly for the Oklahoma Relief Efforts

Tue, 21 May 2013 11:24:00 -0500

Follow these tips when thinking about ways to effectively donate or volunteer to the Oklahoma tornado relief efforts.

The most effective donations after disasters are financial donations. Visit the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster website to donate to those non-profit organizations that are active in disaster response.

Volunteers are very beneficial to the response and recovery efforts after a disaster and are most effective when affiliating with a non-profit organization. Do not self-deploy to the affected areas. Contact your local non-profit organization to find out how you can become trained to respond in the most effective way.

Additional information about the Oklahoma Tornadoes relief efforts can be found at: Federal Emergency Management Agency.

NeighborWorks Features Alabama Disaster Case Management Efforts in Walker County after April 2011 Tornadoes

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 11:40:31 -0500

The Walker/Cullman County Disaster Case Management Team of the Community Action Partnership of North Alabama and Case Manager Cindy Smith are recognized for their efforts in helping the Lester Family rebuild their home after the April 2011 tornadoes.

With help from Mennonite Disaster Service volunteers and a partnership with Garden Spot Village, a Pennsylvania retirement community, the Lester’s home was rebuilt. The efforts of Alabama’s Disaster Case Management Program are featured on the NeighborWorks website.

AmeriCorps Week Service Panel George Washington University...

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 10:28:00 -0500

AmeriCorps Week Service Panel

George Washington University Alternative Spring Break

Tuesday, March 12, 2013, Serve Alabama staff along with a CNCS State representative and a Peace Corps representative had the pleasure of hosting an informational presentation/panel to discuss national service opportunities and experiences. The GWU students were in Tuscaloosa, AL with the United Saints Recovery Project to aid with reconstruction and restoration efforts.

1st picture: Jackie Bishop discussing the overview of the Corporation for National and Community Service at The University of Alabama to very attentive Alternative Spring Breakers from George Washington University.

2nd picture: Nakia Kyler, a former AmeriCorps Vista for Serve Alabama, shares her AmeriCorps Vista experience with the GWU students via face time.

3rd picture: GWU students listen intently as the panelist representing AmeirCorps, AmeriCorps Professional Corps and Peace Corps share their stories of service.

AmeriCorps members across the state, thank you for Serving...

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 14:23:38 -0600

AmeriCorps members across the state, thank you for Serving Alabama! AMERICORPS WEEK MARCH 9 - 17, 2013

March 9 - 17, 2013 is AmeriCorps Week!

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 14:16:00 -0600

Each year during AmeriCorps Week, we recognize the commitment of AmeriCorps members and alums by highlighting the extraordinary impact AmeriCorps makes across our nation every day. This year, AmeriCorps Week will take place March 9-17, 2013.

AmeriCorps Week is a time to salute AmeriCorps members and alums for their service, thank AmeriCorps community partners, and communicate AmeriCorps impact on communities and on the lives of those who serve.

This year’s theme, AmeriCorps Works, reflects AmeriCorps triple bottom line return on investment — for the recipients of service, the people who serve, and the larger community and nation.

Governor Bentley Proclaims March 9 - 17, 2013 AmeriCorps Week

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 13:36:58 -0600

PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR OF ALABAMA

WHEREAS, service to others is a hallmark of the American character and throughout our history citizens have stepped up to meet our challenges by volunteering in their communities; the current economic downturn means more Americans are facing hardships, and volunteering and national service is needed more than ever; and

WHEREAS, the AmeriCorps national service program has proven to be a highly effective way to engage Americans of all ages and backgrounds in meeting a wide range of community needs and promote the ethic of service and volunteering since its creation in 1994; each year AmeriCorps, including AmeriCorps VISTA and AmeriCorps NCCC, provides opportunities for 80,000 citizens across the nation, including approximately 380 citizens in Alabama, to give back in an intensive way to our communities, our state, and our country; and

WHEREAS, more than 800,000 men and women across the nation, including more than 5,500 men and women from Alabama, have taken the AmeriCorps pledge to “get things done for America” by becoming AmeriCorps members since 1994; those AmeriCorps members have served a total of more than 1 billion hours nationwide, including eight million hours served by residents from Alabama, helping to improve the lives of our state’s most vulnerable citizens, strengthen our educational system; protect our environment, and contribute to our public safety, and;

WHEREAS, AmeriCorps was designed to give a key role to states in deciding where resources should be directed to meet state and local needs through the work of Governor-appointed state service commissions, including the Alabama State Service Commission (Serve Alabama); and

WHEREAS, AmeriCorps has strengthened America’s independent sector by investing more than $7.6 billion dollars to support the efforts of tens of thousands of non-profit, community, educational and faith-based community groups nationwide, and those grants have leveraged hundreds of millions of additional funds and in-kind donations from others sources; last year, AmeriCorps members recruited and supervised more than four million community volunteers, demonstrating AmeriCorps value as a powerful catalyst and force multiplier; and

WHEREAS, AmeriCorps members nationwide, in return for their service, have earned nearly $2.4 billion in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards to further their own educational advancement at colleges and universities – including more than $14.6 million that has been earned by residents of Alabama; AmeriCorps members, after their terms of service end, remain engaged in our communities as volunteers, teachers, public servants and non-profit leaders in disproportionately high levels; and

WHEREAS, Congress recently passed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Corporation for National and Community Service and engage more Americans in service, including a major expansion of AmeriCorps to focus on critical national issues of education, health, clean energy, veterans and economic opportunity; and

WHEREAS, March 9 through March 17, 2013, is designated as AmeriCorps Week and is an opportune time for the people of Alabama to salute AmeriCorps members and alums for their powerful impact, thank all of AmeriCorps’ community partners in Alabama who make the program possible and bring more Americans into service:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim the week of March 9 through March 17, 2013, as

AmeriCorps Week

in the state of Alabama and urge citizens to thank AmeriCorps members and alumni for their service and to find ways to give back to their communities.

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 1^st day of March 2013.

_______________________________________

Robert Bentley, Governor

Serve Alabama joins Governor Bentley in promoting Severe Weather Preparedness

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 11:20:00 -0600

Governor Bentley Discusses State Sales Tax Holiday for Severe Weather Preparedness Items

MONTGOMERY – Governor Robert Bentley on Wednesday urged people across Alabama to take advantage of this weekend’s state sales tax holiday for severe weather preparedness items.

“People need to take this opportunity to stock up on the supplies they’ll need before, during and aftersevere weather,” Governor Bentley said.

“From NOAA weather radios, to first aid kits and generators, these supplies can help you and your family stay safe. Alabama is vulnerable to several different forms of severe weather. Take the time now to plan ahead. If you wait until the storm strikes, it’s often too late.”

The state sales tax holiday for 2013 will begin at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, February 22. The holiday will continue through the end of Sunday, February 24. As part of the holiday, items related to severe weather preparedness will be exempted from state sales and use taxes.

Items covered by the state sales tax holiday include:

Several types of batteries, including cell phone batteries and chargers
Battery-powered radios
NOAA weather radios
Flashlights, lanterns, and emergency glow sticks
First aid kits
Duct tape
Plywood, window film or other materials, specifically designed to protect window openings
Portable generators
Gas or Diesel fuel containers
Tarpaulins and plastic sheeting
Any non-electric food storage cooler or water storage container
Non-electric can openers
Any artificial ice, blue ice, ice packs, or reusable ice
Fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors
Ground anchor systems such as cords or rope or tie-down kits

The covered items must cost $60 or less, except for generators, which are covered as long as they cost $1,000 or less.

Several cities and counties across Alabama are joining the state by removing their own local sales and use taxes from the same items during the same weekend. A complete list can be found on the Alabama Department of Revenue website at: http://revenue.alabama.gov/salestax/WPholiday.cfm.

The sales tax holiday will be held at the conclusion of Severe Weather Awareness Week, which is currently underway.

“Alabamians have a unique opportunity with the state sales tax holiday to really save money on items that may save them in a future storm,” Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director Art Faulkner said. “It is imperative that people use this awareness week and tax-free weekend to be prepared for all hazards, which could strike at any time of year.”

Serve Alabama, the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Volunteer Service, is continuing its “Ready Alabama” partnership with Lamar Advertising to help promote Severe Weather Awareness Week.

“The partnership with Lamar provides access to more than 70 digital billboard locations across the state,” Serve Alabama Director Jon Mason said. “This week, severe weather preparedness messages are currently on display from Huntsville to Mobile. The billboards promote hazard-specific preparedness and emphasize the importance of developing and maintaining an emergency kit for your home or office.”

“Severe Weather Awareness Week is the time to both educate yourself and develop an action plan before hazardous weather strikes,” added Jim Stefkovich, meteorologist in charge of the Birmingham National Weather Service office. “We at the NWS take our role of providing life-saving information very seriously. However, our best forecasts and warnings mean nothing if you don’t do something with this information. So, please join us. Take this week to learn about the threats. Learn how to receive the hazardous weather information. Finally, develop a plan to protect yourself and others before hazardous weather strikes. The life you save may be your own!”

The annual sales tax holiday was a key recommendation of Governor Bentley’s Tornado Recovery Action Council. The council was appointed by Governor Bentley following the April 27, 2011, tornado outbreak. Senator Greg Reed of WalkerCounty and Representative Bill Poole of TuscaloosaCounty sponsored legislation to create the holiday. The measure was approved by the Alabama Legislature in April of 2012 and was immediately signed by Governor Bentley.

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The Governor’s Press Office can be reached at 334-242-7150.

How you can help - Alabama Christmas Day Tornadoes

Wed, 26 Dec 2012 12:14:59 -0600

Christmas Day Tornadoes in Alabama

For those interested in volunteering after the Christmas Day tornadoes, please review the most effective ways to help those in need:

Affiliate with existing non-profit organizations before coming to the disaster area. Immediately following a disaster, a community can become easily overwhelmed by the amount of generous people who want to help. Contacting and affiliating with an established organization will help to ensure that you are appropriately trained to respond in the most effective way. You may also sign up at www.handsonsal.org.

Be safe: Do not self-deploy. Register and wait until you have been notified of a specific volunteer need. Once assigned a position, make sure you have been given an assignment and are wearing proper safety gear for the task.

Special thank you to Governor Robert Bentley, speakers,...

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 10:51:14 -0600

Special thank you to Governor Robert Bentley, speakers, presenters and all of the folks from around Alabama for making yesterday’s Governor’s Community Response Workshop a great success!

Family Volunteer Day - November 17, 2012

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 10:53:19 -0600

Source: Points of Light

Family Volunteer Day is a day of service that demonstrates and celebrates the power of families who volunteer together, supporting their neighborhoods, communities and the world.

Points of Light created the day 22 years ago to showcase the benefits of family volunteering and provide opportunities for families to help communities create supportive environments for their children and each other. This year Family Volunteer Day takes place on Nov. 17 and is being sponsored by Disney Friends for Change and powered by generationOn.

Family Volunteer Day is strategically held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving to “kick-off” the holiday season with giving and service. It also signals the start of National Family Week, sponsored by the Alliance for Children and Families and the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Families that volunteer together not only address community social problems, but also strengthen themselves. Volunteering together as a family provides quality time, strengthens family communication and provides opportunities for family members to be role models.

For additional resources and ideas for Family Volunteer Day, please visit http://www.pointsoflight.org/signature-events/family-volunteer-day

Volunteer for Hurricane Sandy Relief

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 16:35:15 -0500

Follow these tips when thinking about ways to effectively volunteer or donate to the Hurricane Sandy response efforts.

· Volunteers are very beneficial to the response and recovery efforts after a disaster and are most effective when affiliating with a non-profit organization. Do not self-deploy to the affected areas. To register your interest, visit HandsOn Network. To find volunteer opportunities, visit Points of Light Disaster Volunteer Opportunities.

· The most effective donations after disasters are financial donations. Visit the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) website to donate to those non-profit organizations that are active in disaster response.

· Additional information about Hurricane Sandy response efforts can be found at: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS).

Register for Governor's Community Response Workshop

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 16:54:00 -0500

Montgomery Marriott Prattville Hotel & Conference Center at Capitol Hill

2500 Legends Circle

Prattville, Alabama

Date: December 11, 2012

Time: Registration begins at 8am. Workshop will be from 9am-4pm.

Conference Registration: $25 per participant - You can register online by clicking

http://communityresponseworkshop.eventbrite.com

Participants are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for the Montgomery Area Food Bank and will be entered to win a Ready AL Evac Pack!

Conference Partners: Serve Alabama - Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Volunteer Service, Corporation for National and Community Service, Hands On Network, National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, Alabama Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters, Alabama Emergency Management Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Church World Service, Alabama Power

Who Should Attend: Faith-Based and Community Organizations, Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters, Volunteer Leaders, Volunteer Managers, National Service Programs: AmeriCorps, Senior Corps and Learn and Serve, Citizen Corps, Emergency Managers, and City and County Government Officials

Learn About: Ways to enhance existing partnerships, Guidelines to consider prior to disasters, Ways to effectively use social media during disasters, How to set-up a volunteer reception center, How to begin and maintain a local Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD), and How to establish a local Long Term Recovery Committee.

September 11th: Honor Our Heroes. We Remember

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 09:27:58 -0500

September 11th: Honor Our Heroes. We Remember

SEPTEMBER 11TH NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE AND REMEMBRANCE

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 09:24:00 -0500

The September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance is the culmination of efforts originally launched in 2002 by the 9/11 nonprofit MyGoodDeed with wide support by the 9/11 community and leading national service organizations. This effort first established the inspiring tradition of engaging in charitable service on 9/11 as an annual and forward-looking tribute to the 9/11 victims, survivors, and those who rose up in service in response to the attacks.

In 2009, Congress designated September 11th as a National Day of Service and Remembrance under bipartisan federal law, and charged the Corporation for National and Community Service with helping to support this effort across the country. For the anniversary, CNCS is working with MyGoodDeed and numerous other organizations to implement one of the largest days of charitable service in U.S. history.

PAYING TRIBUTE

On the anniversary of the September 11th attacks, Americans will unite in service in the same remarkable way that so many came together following the attacks.

As in years past, we anticipate service and remembrance activities in all 50 states, at which there will be opportunities for hundreds of thousands of volunteers to paint and refurbish homes, run food drives, spruce up schools, reclaim neighborhoods, and support and honor veterans, soldiers, military families, and first responders. To find opportunities to serve during this year’s September 11th Day of Service and Remembrance, you can look for projects using the project locator tool. Or, to organize a service project in your area, find toolkits and other resources here.

Many people were moved to act in the days following the attacks of 2001 and long after. CNCS gathered stories of people whose lives and paths were changed by 9/11, and who have dedicated themselves to service as a result.

September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance
10th Anniversary Challenge Winners: Continuing the Work in 2012

On the 10th anniversary of the attacks, CNCS issued a challenge encouraging organizations to effectively engage individuals in service to their communities during the National Day of Service and Remembrance, and compete for grant awards.

CNCS awarded 13 grants — ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 — to organizations so they could expand their September 11th Day activities in future years. You can visit these organizations’ websites to find out more about what they are doing and how you can get involved with their September 11, 2012 activities.

National Service Agency Awards September 11th Day of Service and Remembrance Grants

The Corporation for National and Community Service awarded grants to seven organizations to engage Americans in service during the 2012 September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance.

These grants focus in three areas: capacity building, disaster services and/or veterans and military families and support a range of service efforts including educating citizens on disaster preparedness, developing emergency plans, promoting fire safety, tutoring in schools, recruiting emergency responders, and building affordable housing for veterans and military families. Organizations applied for two-year grants ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 to implement September 11th projects in 2012 and 2013.

Source: http://www.serve.gov/sept11.asp

Alabama Public Radio previews Ready Alabama Day

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 20:02:33 -0500

Alabama Public Radio previews Ready Alabama Day

Ready Alabama Day - September 6, 2012

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 15:54:00 -0500

Ready Alabama Day

Thursday, September 6, 2012 in Jacksonville, AL

When: Thursday, September 6, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Where: Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL

What :

Part of National Preparedness Month
View equipment and displays of emergency management agencies, first responders, and volunteer organizations
Participate in interactive demonstrations
Learn about the role individuals can play in preparing for natural or man-made disasters

Who: Sponsored by Serve Alabama, Alabama Department of Homeland Security, Alabama Emergency Management Agency, the Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency, and Jacksonville State University

For more information or to register as an exhibitor, contact:

Brooke Mills

Brooke.Mills@ServeAlabama.gov

334-954-7456

Eight Commerce Street, Ste 1000

Montgomery, AL 36104

www.ReadyAlabama.gov

Free Admission! Great Fun! Prizes and Giveaways!

Ready Sunday in Alabama - September 30, 2012

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 13:42:23 -0500

Faith-Based Leaders:

On behalf of ReadyAlabama, Alabama’s emergency preparedness campaign funded by a grant from the Department of Homeland Security, we would like to invite your church family to participate in the seventh annualReadySunday initiative on September 30, 2012. ReadyAlabama makes it simple and easy for your organization to participate.

ReadySunday is a collaborative effort geared to encourage Alabama’s faith-based organizations and their families to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, schools and churches.

Organizations like yours play an integral role in our community during disasters. Not only will congregation members turn to their faith in times of crisis, but community members will seek out your organization for comfort and support. With the collaboration of faith-based groups and government agencies, we can work together to educate and empower our communities to prepare before disasters strike.

When you participate in ReadySunday, ReadyAlabama will do the work for you! ReadyAlabama offers a free program with resources customized to your organization’s needs, including:

 Registering your church as a ReadySunday participant at www.ReadyAlabama.gov and providing you with a downloadable electronic toolkit.

 Promoting ReadySunday to your congregation by providing pre-written information for your newsletter, website, e-blasts, bulletin board, and other communication vehicles.

 Offering church attendees free family emergency plans and more.

 Setting up a ReadySunday table on-site with emergency preparedness materials and a sample disaster kit on display.

We know that the next emergency is coming. We just don’t know when or what kind it will be. But we can prepare now for the next emergency. Our family, friends, church and community depend on it, and ReadySunday provides a compelling reminder to get prepared today!

To get your ReadySunday event started, please visit www.ReadyAlabama.govor contact Marguerite Long at the contact information provided below.

We look forward to your participation!

On behalf of ReadyAlabama,

Marguerite Long

Emergency Preparedness Coordinator

Serve Alabama

Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Volunteer Service

8 Commerce Street, Suite 1000

Montgomery, AL 36104

334-954-7440

Marguerite.Long@ServeAlabama.gov

National Service Teams Activated for Hurricane Isaac Response

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 10:38:00 -0500

More than 1000 Members and Volunteers on Standby to Deploy

Washington D.C. – As Hurricane Isaac continues moving through the Gulf Coast, AmeriCorps and Senior Corps teams are responding in four Gulf Coast states, the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) announced today.

CNCS is working in close coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, the American Red Cross, and state and local authorities. CNCS is a part of a local, state and nationally coordinated effort and has activated national service participants, at the request of local communities for deployment to Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

Agency officials join FEMA in encouraging all those living in Isaac’s path to finalize preparations for severe weather, monitor news and weather reports, and closely follow the instructions of state and local officials.

“Hurricane Isaac is a dangerous storm, and anyone living in its path has to take precautions now,” said Kelly DeGraff, Director of Disaster Services for CNCS. “If you aren’t sure what to do, visit Ready.gov or Listo.gov for steps you can take to better protect yourself and your family.”

AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members have been deployed to the following locations:

58 AmeriCorps members serving with American Red Cross chapters across the country have deployed to Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Their duties include sheltering, mass care, and emergency response vehicle operations.
73 AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) members are operating shelters and assisting with 2-1-1 call centers in Jackson, Miss. as well as Baton Rouge, Madisonville, Shreveport, and Tangipahoa Parish in Louisiana.
More than 60 RSVP volunteers are supporting evacuations, call centers, and efforts to assist disabled seniors in Hancock County, Miss. and St. Charles Parish, La.

Approximately 1,000 additional AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members are on standby and ready to deploy as needed.

CNCS, a federal agency, provides strong support, expertise, and trained and dedicated volunteers to help communities to prepare for, mitigate, respond, and recover from natural and man-made disasters. From forest fires and floods, to hurricanes and tornadoes, to terror attacks and oil spills, participants in CNCS programs have provided critical support to millions of Americans affected by disasters since 1994.

Reflecting the agency’s growing expertise and commitment in disaster services, CNCS has made disaster services a priority in the agency’s 2011-2015 strategic plan. For more information on disaster response and recovery by national service, visit the Disaster Services Unit.

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The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages millions of Americans in service through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, Social Innovation Fund, and other programs, and leads President Obama’s national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.

Volunteer or Donate for Hurricane Isaac Relief in Alabama

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 15:12:00 -0500

INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING FOR ISAAC RESPONSE: Call 2-1-1 or 1-888-421-1266, to get connected to a local organization responding in the area.

INTERESTED IN DONATING TO NATIONAL GROUPS RESPONDING TO HURRICANE ISAAC : Click here.

DONATE TO ALABAMA DISASTER RELIEF, GIVE TO THE GOVERNOR’S EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND Click Here: http://www.unitedwaysofalabama.org/Road-to-Recovery.htm

Governor Bentley Announces New ReadyAlabama.gov

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 15:43:00 -0500

OFFICE OF GOVERNOR ROBERT BENTLEY

THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012

Governor Bentley Announces new “Ready Alabama” Initiatives Promoting Disaster Preparedness

MONTGOMERY – Governor Robert Bentley on Thursday announced the launch of new Ready Alabama initiatives that will help people across the state prepare for natural disasters.

The new initiatives are designed to reach more people through a renewed focus on web content (ReadyAlabama.gov), social media interaction, strategic partnerships, statewide media, and the Governor’s Office.

“Through Ready Alabama, we are connecting people with the information and resources they need to plan ahead long before a natural disaster,” Governor Bentley said. “We are also re-launching the Ready Alabama website in a format that is more informative and user-friendly. I encourage everyone to take the time to visit ReadyAlabama.gov and follow some simple steps to prepare for future emergencies. Bottom line – the Ready Alabama campaign will help save lives.”

Earlier this year, the Governor’s Tornado Recovery Action Council recommended launching an ongoing awareness campaign that would educate people on how to prepare for natural disasters and inform them of the resources that are available. The new Ready Alabama initiatives address that recommendation.

“The goal of the new Ready Alabama is to encourage preparedness before the storm,” Serve Alabama Director Jon Mason said. “We want to make preparedness a part of the conversation about storms through social media, traditional media, Ready Alabama programs, and the web.”

Leaders also announced Thursday that, thanks to a new partnership with Lamar Advertising, Ready Alabama will be able to utilize Lamar’s statewide network of digital billboards to educate people about disaster preparedness. In addition, the digital network will give Ready Alabama the ability to send event-specific preparedness messages to targeted areas impacted by storms. For example, if coastal Alabama counties are under a Tropical Storm Watch, Lamar’s digital boards can display specific preparedness announcements for tropical weather situations.

Ready Alabama is administered by the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Volunteer Service (Serve Alabama). The program has been active for eight years, primarily focusing on event-driven outreach. Thursday’s launch of the updated Ready Alabama campaign incorporates new levels of web content, social media, outdoor media, and other efforts aimed at improving communications.

Ready Alabama Partners Include:

Serve Alabama
Alabama Department of Homeland Security
Alabama Emergency Management Agency
Alabama National Weather Service Offices (Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile)

Please visit ReadyAlabama.gov for more information on disaster preparedness. For further updates, follow ReadyAlabama on Facebook and Twitter. Also, use the hashtag #ReadyAL in your Twitter updates to spread the word.

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For additional information, contact the Governor’s Press Office at 334-242-7150.

ServeAlabama.Gov

How to Donate and Volunteer Responsibly for the Oklahoma Relief Efforts

NeighborWorks Features Alabama Disaster Case Management Efforts in Walker County after April 2011 Tornadoes

AmeriCorps Week Service Panel George Washington University...

AmeriCorps members across the state, thank you for Serving...

March 9 - 17, 2013 is AmeriCorps Week!

Governor Bentley Proclaims March 9 - 17, 2013 AmeriCorps Week

PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR OF ALABAMA

Serve Alabama joins Governor Bentley in promoting Severe Weather Preparedness

How you can help - Alabama Christmas Day Tornadoes

Special thank you to Governor Robert Bentley, speakers,...

Family Volunteer Day - November 17, 2012

Volunteer for Hurricane Sandy Relief

Register for Governor's Community Response Workshop

September 11th: Honor Our Heroes. We Remember

SEPTEMBER 11TH NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE AND REMEMBRANCE

PAYING TRIBUTE

September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance 10th Anniversary Challenge Winners: Continuing the Work in 2012

National Service Agency Awards September 11th Day of Service and Remembrance Grants

Alabama Public Radio previews Ready Alabama Day

Ready Alabama Day - September 6, 2012

Ready Sunday in Alabama - September 30, 2012

National Service Teams Activated for Hurricane Isaac Response

More than 1000 Members and Volunteers on Standby to Deploy

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Volunteer or Donate for Hurricane Isaac Relief in Alabama

Governor Bentley Announces New ReadyAlabama.gov

September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance
10th Anniversary Challenge Winners: Continuing the Work in 2012