Native American tribe donates $184,000 to cover funeral costs for Alabama tornado victims
A Native American tribe in Alabama is donating $184,000 as part of an effort to cover the funeral costs for the 23 people who died this week in an outbreak of tornadoes.
“The Tribe is making a $184,000 donation to the East Alabama Medical Center Foundation to assist in the burial of the victims from last Sunday’s devastating tornado in Lee County, AL," Stephanie A. Bryan, Tribal Chair and CEO of Poarch Band of Creek Indians, said in a Facebook post last week.
"It is at times of greatest need that we often see our communities coming together to help one another, this is one of those times. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected.”
Lee County coroner Bill Harris confirmed the size of the donation to CNN . The coroner told the network that the tribe agreed to increase its donation by more than $100,000 after another donor backed out of the initial arrangement.
The money from the tribe will be donated to East Alabama Medical Center Foundation to make sure none of it is spent on administrative costs, CNN noted.
"My goal was to be able to provide what the families wanted" for "this casket or this service without having to scrimp because they didn't have the money," Harris said. "These folks have stepped up for a community need, and I appreciate that."
Harris added that other local organizations have pitched in to cover funeral costs. He said that a notable person from Alabama pledged to donate $10,000 for footmarkers for graves.
The community effort comes as Lee County grapples with the damage incurred by an outbreak of tornadoes that killed 23 people, including several children.
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump visited the region and met with victims' families last week. Trump also signed an emergency disaster declaration that authorized federal aid for parts of the state.
According to its website , the Poarch Band of Creek Indians is the only federally recognized Native American tribe in Alabama. The tribe manages a number of businesses, including gaming facilities and hotels.
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Gakina Awiiya (we are all related)
So totally cool! Doubt any other organization was willing to do that to help.
The tribes first contribution was $50,000. They found out that another donor backed out and they came back with $184,000 to cover all the costs for the families.
Posted to Facebook. It deserves to be seen.
What a wonderful thing to do for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to do. It is outstanding that they could raise so much money to help those who have so little. I hope that people remember that.
I do as well sister...
I read where one family lost ten members...How very sad.
Nothing can be worse than that. Like they were all never here.
Thank you to them.
I could never imagine losing everything then having to bury family members.
Whatever help they can be given I'm sure is most appreciated.
Thankfully the Creek Indian tribe is doing their part and I've read when others group/individuals are coming to the rescue as well.
Indeed we are all related. We are all one people....it's called human beings. In times of such need, it is truly Spiritually uplifting to see one group of people so willing to help another, regardless of race or beliefs.
Exactly RW.
in total agreement with RW and yourself
just curious, do you know how Poarch is pronounced,?
interesting spelling
I don't know the correct pronunciation, igknorantzrulz.
thank you anyway,
and a good positive seed as well
As in "Porch" - the French never got it right.
what i figured, as i couldn't mix poached with porch with it sounding right
thnx 1stwarrior
Payhtuk naandow piikishwew lil Fraansay.....LOL (careful how you talk about the French) That's Metis or Michif which is French/Cree/Ojibwe...
Dear Brother Kavika: What a great and grand action taken for the benefit of others in need.
With sincere selfless acts of charity, humanity wins.
Great seed.
Thanks.
P&AB.
Enoch.
Yes it does niijii. We need more of it.
What a wonderful gesture to jump right in , and do soooo much good for people they don't even know.. I hear of things like this and it re-news my Faith in humanity.
Thanks for posting this Kavika !!!
Indeed it does, Nona....