Tornado relief

Christy Aleksa, wife of Senior Master Sgt. Jason Aleksa, and J.C. Cluver, a volunteer, load donated goods into a truck for distribution to various tornado relief centers May 13, 2011, Hurlburt Field, Fla. The Hurlburt Field community collected more than 9,000 pounds of clothes, shoes, pots, pans, toys and camping equipment from May 4-13 to benefit survivors of the April 27, 2011 tornado outbreak that devasted cities across six states. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sarah Martinez/RELEASED)

Tornado relief

Senior Master Sgt. Jason Aleksa, 25th Intelligence Squadron, loads donated supplies into a truck awaiting transport to various tornado relief centers May 13, 2011, Hurlburt Field, Fla. The Hurlburt Field community collected more than 9,000 pounds of clothes, shoes, pots, pans, toys and camping equipment May 4-13 to benefit the survivors of the April 27, 2011 tornado outbreak that devasted cities across six states. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sarah Martinez/RELEASED)

Tornado Relief

A bag of children's clothing is labeled for quick distribution and awaits pick-up at the tornado relief collection point May 13, 2011, Hurlburt Field, Fla. The Hurlburt Field community collected more than 9,000 pounds of clothes, shoes, pots, pans, toys and camping equipment May 4-13 to benefit the survivors of the April 27, 2011 tornado outbreak that devasted cities across six states. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sarah Martinez/RELEASED)

Hurlburt community holds tornado relief drive

Published May 17, 2011
By Tech. Sgt. Kristina Newton
1st Special Operatons Wing Public Affairs

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Volunteers from Hurlburt Field came together May 4-13 for a relief drive in support of the victims of the April 2011 tornado outbreak that ravaged the Southeastern United States.

On the last day of the drive, volunteers had collected more than 9,000 pounds of clothes, shoes, pots, pans, toys and camping equipment for donation to various aid organizations in the community.

"It's really great to be able to get these donations to the people who need them," said Staff Sgt. Reva Wells, a member of the 25th Intelligence Squadron and a native of Birmingham, Ala., who teamed up with Senior Master Sgt. Jason Aleksa, also from the 25th IS, to organize the base-wide volunteer drive.

Sergeant Aleksa said he felt compelled to organize a drive based on his own history with disasters.

"I have personal experience with losing all your possessions," he said. "I've had two house fires and there was always someone there to help me, so I am always looking for a way to give back."

The drive started as a spur-of-the-moment idea, said Chief Master Sgt. Francis Dailey, 361st Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group. Sergeants Wells and Aleksa saw a need and began requesting support from other volunteers on base.

All of the donated supplies will support those who were affected by the tornadoes that, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration website, are estimated to have killed more than 300 people across six states from April 27-28. It is currently the fifth deadliest day of tornadoes on record.

"It's terrible what happened. You see all these people in need and it really makes you want to help," said Staff Sgt. Matthew Howard, a native of Mobile, Ala., with the 361st ISRG. "It feels good to help my fellow Alabamians."