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Follow on Google News | IDSI Employees Band together to Provide Relief for Victims of the Recent Tornados in AlabamaAn Intelligent Decision Systems, Inc. (IDSI) employee describes the devastation caused by the recent tornados in Alabama and how much IDSI's contributions meant to the families affected by this tragic occurence.
Ken Waringa stayed in contact with me on how my family was managing. Ken and IDSI had so much patience with me while I took time off from work to attempt to take care of those who lost everything. When I was told about how IDSI was collecting needed items for the storm victims, I remember asking Ken if I could get some clean underwear for everyone. I never fathomed the amount of support that IDSI and the local community would give. With a renewed trust in humanity, Corrie Gann and I started contacting local groups to make the most of all the resources being offered. We started researching the tornados that affected north Alabama to see where we could help most. We found out that the EF-5 tornado that went through that area also spun off multiple smaller EF-3 tornados in rural towns all over the area. Hackleburg, Alabama took a direct hit from the main tornado. The small towns around it (Hodges, Shiloh, etc.) took hits from EF-3 tornados. Still today, some of these rural towns are untouched by relief and rescue efforts mainly because the towns do not have the machinery and manpower to clean them. I was put in contact with a woman named Kimberly who needed to get money to that area. After talking to Kimberly and learning of the situation there in and around Hackleburg, we knew that a majority of our time and donations needed to go there. Kimberly, after just meeting me, gave me an envelope of money to take to Heidi, the school nurse in Hackleburg. I didn’t know how to reach Heidi, but called around and within 24 hours I was on the phone with her setting up a meeting on Saturday. On Friday, the day before we went to Hackleburg, I met Ken Waringa and Rob Smith in Troy, Alabama. They had brought all of the donations of supplies IDSI had collected from local merchants and purchased with funds donated by them and their co-workers. I never imagined that they were able to get the amount of supplies that they did. I was again reminded of how fortunate I am to also have IDSI and my coworkers. On Saturday morning, Corrie and I headed to north Alabama with a truck full of supplies. Heidi was so grateful to see the effort. As the school nurse at Hackelburg elementary, she really needed the antibiotic ointment, bandages, and underwear that we delivered. She sent love, prayers, and multiple hugs to the group at IDSI. For our next stop, Heidi directed us to the First Missionary Baptist Church in Hodges, Alabama. At the church, we met Miss Janet and Miss Dena, who were sorting and loading the supplies they had on hand into four-wheel drive vehicles driven by men delivering the needed items to homes that could not be reached by regular vehicles. Miss Janet and Miss Dena also send their gratitude and more hugs to IDSI. We also had large tarps to give out in Hackleburg but the town did not need them, as it is no longer there. In Tuscaloosa, there has been a lot of support from an unlikely source. “Toomers for Tuscaloosa” is a group of Auburn alumni that came over to help with lots of supplies and people. For those that aren’t aware, Tuscaloosa’s University of Alabama and Auburn University are fierce rivals. It is especially gratifying to see rivals put aside their differences to help people in need. We took the tarps to Warren and Holly of Toomers where they have been put to use on damaged housing. Toomers has also set up shelters with electricity. The warehouse that Toomers supplied is being turned over to FEMA. The group will be moving to the Birmingham area to better help other communities rebuild. I am currently working with Toomers to make sure that the people that need supplies are getting them, especially in the rural towns. I wish I could express all the gratitude and love being sent to IDSI by these families and myself. At the church in Hodges there was one little girl with her mom and aunt who only wanted food for her cat. They didn’t have cat food until I got there with donations from IDSI, which included cat food. She says “Thanks, Kitty Kitty is gonna be happy.” -Bonnie Cargile (IDSI employee) # # # IDSI is a woman-owned small business comprised of experienced professionals providing cost-effective training and human performance services and solutions. Our methodologies reflect an academically disciplined approach integrating current research, leading-edge technologies, and practical experience to provide solutions that can be implemented efficiently and effectively. IDSI is unique in our understanding and application of the science of learning to our designs. We understand the complex performance systems that are integral to building and maintaining an effective and efficient workforce. IDSI’s discipline based approach to the final product provides our customers with purposeful designs which provide ideal learning experiences for the users. End
Page Updated Last on: Oct 05, 2011
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