cannon's giant posterous

Dear Family and Friends,

We wanted to write to give you a brief overview of our trip to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, this past weekend in addition to thanking you again for your support. We wanted to connect with you sooner rather than later. As an update, donations continued to come in up until the time we left on Friday morning.

On Saturday, we were able to work with four organizations: American Red Cross, Tuscaloosa Emergency Services, Project Blessings, and the Humane Society of West Alabama. All told we delivered 20 boxes/bags of donated clothing (casual and business), shoes, and food supplies to the agencies. Additionally, we were able to gather a “needs” list from the agencies and use $2,000 of donated funds to meet those specific requests.

The damage in Tuscaloosa is devastating. It was still visibly heartbreaking to witness even though the tornado hit nearly one month ago. To come home and see the Joplin tornado on television has added new poignancy to our experience. In Tuscaloosa, we saw a victim of the tornado walk up to a supply warehouse and ask for a table and utensils. All of her stuff was missing after the tornado. Another family needed diapers that were immediately provided. Others still needed supplies from the food bank. We knew that there was a need, but perhaps we were still taken back a bit to see it first hand.

We want to praise God for providing the vision for this trip. We thank you for your prayers. We thank you for providing the donations to make it happen. Many lives will be touched as the Lord uses your generosity to provide for the victims of this tragedy. It was an honor for us to go on this trip and deliver supplies. We enjoyed serving those with needs. A lot of people have told us that they are impressed with what we were doing, but we know that God orchestrated all of this. We are very ordinary people (half of our duo is unemployed). God provided three times what we had hoped to raise for the victims. It has been a humbling experience to be used by Him in this situation. We want to encourage others to know that if we can do it you can too!

We look forward to talking with you in person about the trip. Also, we have a full album of pictures posted on each of our Facebook pages. You can use the public link below to view the photos that include our visit to the campus of the University of Alabama that is within a mile of the tornado damage. Thank you again for your support.

Love,

Reagan and Jason Cannon  

Facebook link (cut and paste into web browser)

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150261337773974.385405.782583973&a...

Well, I never in my wildest predictions could have come up with what has transpired. The Alabama relief goal has been reached, and then blown out of the water! I had started with a goal of $1,000 in relief donations for the tornado victims. That number has been surpassed and the actual amount so far is quickly closing in on $1,500. I am so thankful for this answer to prayer. The Red Cross told us yesterday that people are in need of tents as shelters along with coolers to replace missing or destroyed refrigerators. I am researching the best place to acquire as many of those items as possible. Thank you again for your prayers and gifts to this great cause. Praise God for His love and faithfulness! Coming soon: a blog entry on the Mavericks sweep of the Lakers. The highlight will be a photograph of my mom during game 4 signaling to Phil Jackson it's time to call a timeout from her seat in section 219. 

There is only one state that we can choose in fifth grade for our state report. For me, it was Alabama. 

Yesterday I was walking my dogs, Gervin and Scout, and I began to think about the news of the day which of course was bin Laden's death. That in and of itself is a topic for another day. I was thinking about how it would push the news of the Alabama tornado off the radar at a time when it needs it most. I would guess that nationally folks are past the initial shock stage of the damage. I know I tend not to dwell on news stories after the become stale which these days is about 72 hours. I was not sure what to think about the story, but I just kind of started talking to God about it. Within the space of two blocks He spoke back. It wasn't caught up in static or lost by my poor translating skills. He told me, "Go to Alabama and be a doer of the word."

So over the course of yesterday I prayerfully began to consider a plan of action. It has been an interesting process for me. I am unemployed still so carving out the time is easy enough, but there is a slight sense of guilt that everyone else would do the same thing I am but has to work. But I am simultaneously thrilled that I have available time, and I want to use it. The other aspect of the operation has to do with collecting money and supply donations. I don't think I have ever asked people for stuff or money before. I have to get over it! People need the help! By financing the trip myself I can guarantee that everything donated is distributed in Alabama. Still, if you're like me, it takes some getting used to. 

After returning from the walk, I repeatedly tried to get in touch with the Alabama Red Cross but its voice mail was full. I hunted around the internet and came across a news article discussing the Knoxville, Tennessee, chapter of the Red Cross. They were collecting items to be sent down including all basic needs articles. When Reagan got home from work, I told her about the idea. Today at work she discovered that one of her co-workers has parents in T-town (Tuscaloosa) that are volunteering! They can help us get connected with an organization there. She also received a donation from a co-worker - the first one! 

We are off and running with this. Pray for those that we can encourage in Alabama. I am going to go there on May 16. I don't know for how long, or what all I will have to bring, but I am praying for BIG things. If you want to donate items or money that will be used on clothes, hygiene products, toys for kids, pillows, cleaning supplies, etc. please get in touch with me. I can't get you a tax write off receipt, but I can promise you that I will deliver your gift to the people. I have set a goal of $1,000 dollars worth of items/financial contributions toward purchased supplies. I only have about ten days! Help me reach my goal!

If you would like to help, contact me at jasoncannon7@gmail.com.

Seriously, if Charlie Sheen can do it, so can you. Winning.