Central Alabama Disaster Relief

CADR is a registered 501C3 Nonprofit Charity dedicated to assisting those affected by disasters through response, relief, and recovery efforts. Our EIN is 93-2856006.

Central Alabama Disaster Relief Origins

On January 19th, 2019, an event that was the catalyst for the forming of Central Alabama Disaster Relief occurred, the Wetumpka Tornado. The devastation was.... unbelievable. What amazed me the most was that people came from everywhere, helping those that would never even see them. In the middle of the dark, during an extended power outage, people, asking nothing in return, worked late and hard. This is the human spirit that encourages me greatly when I see it, and even more, when I can be a part of it.

I had previously been on scene during the disaster relief efforts for several coastal hurricanes, think Katrina in 2005, the EF-3 Prattville Tornado of 2008 and the EF-4 Tornado at Enterprise High School in Enterprise, Alabama the year before. My involvement was cursory at best, but it helped plant the seed for Central Alabama Disaster Relief.

CADR loading tractor for Disaster Relief

Small Steps to Disaster Relief

Many in our organization have spent a career in public service. But, despite what people think, public servants don't do the job for the money (a little joke). After being in public service for a career, you find that helping people is truly what you enjoy and makes you happy. It's pretty good for those we assist as well, as you might expect. After taking small steps for several years and making sure we were doing things the correct way and looking at other disaster relief organizations, all while deploying as individuals to local disasters, we started Central Alabama Disaster Relief.

But what was our role going to be? We wanted to be the local "go to" organization to help those "LOCALLY" with disasters. We all live in Central Alabama, we work here. These persons we help are our friends, neighbors, relatives, co-workers. We were going to stay local. This was going to make us a quick reaction force, able to go and do without the red tape of a national organization. It would also mean that a great majority of the time, any donated funds would stay local as we would be purchasing from local businesses.

We are in the growing phase of this vision right now, able to react quickly with limited numbers and limited capacity. Trained, professional and capable. But most of all, eager to assist those in need. However, this vision is difficult. Can you guess what limits us the most? Of course, time a person has to volunteer and finances.

What is next for CADR?

The greatest asset of any organization is it's people, employees or, in this case, VOLUNTEERS. We are no different. We ALWAYS need volunteers! (please join us). Next, we need funding. Funding is food, shelter, equipment (skid steer, tractor, etc.), transportation for victims, clothes, kids needs, medicine, electricity and more. There's a great movie, The Right Stuff, that has a very applicable
line it. "No Bucks, no
Buck Rogers."
Though we are not
going to space, we
still feel that helping
others and disaster
relief is worthy of
funding. We always have numerous requests out, but would very much like to build a small group of supporters that would help a little, as often as they could.

Small Project Disaster Relief in Alabama

In Short...

In short, who are we? We are a group of trained local persons, residing in Central Alabama, who want to help those in need of aid. We all have a passion for lessening the stress that others are feeling due to a disaster. These disasters include natural, man made and personal disasters. We are a 501C3 per the IRS and are a registered Non-Profit Charity with the State of Alabama. We are a Disaster Relief group in which no person draws a salary and 100% of donations/grants go back into the organization.

Closing Thoughts

My name is Leighton Greenlee and I am the Founder/CEO of Central Alabama Disaster Relief. I wish you would consider joining us. It is a great feeling to be part of a team, out in the community, doing good. I love the feeling when you look around and see good people, donating their time to help others in need. I believe it is what God intended. Regardless of if you join us, support us or neither, go out and do something good for someone else today. There are lots of people in need, sometimes because of disaster and sometimes, just because of life.

Central Alabama Disaster Relief