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Children in The Preserve neighborhood in Hoover, Ala., sell lemonade, cookies, coffee, brownies, tea and accept donations of non-perishable food items, clothing, blankets, toiletries, money, water, etc. for relief of the Tuscaloosa tornado victims Sunday, May 1, 2011. They are calling their effort the “Tuscaloosa Relief Kitchen.” Emma Burch (9) hands lemonade and cookies to neighbor Bruce Evans who stopped to make a donation. (Birmingham News Photo / Jeff Roberts

The United Way of Central Alabama and Media General Inc. will team up in a telethon Wednesday to raise money for victims of last week’s deadly tornadoes in Alabama.

The announcement of the 24-hour telethon starting at 5 a.m. Wednesday, is the latest in several efforts to support those feeling the pain of the largest tornado outbreak on record in the United States.

WVTM-TV in Birmingham, other Media General broadcast television stations and many newspapers and associated websites are helping to support the relief efforts through various on-air, in-print and online promotion efforts, including streaming a live shot of the United Way Donation Center on their websites with details on how to donate, said Samuetta Nesbitt, spokeswoman for United Way.

In addition, WVTM will air a prime-time special from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday with updates on the storm recovery in Alabama communities. Donations will be highlighted during the broadcast. This special will be simulcast on other Media General stations. CNN has donated satellite time during this prime-time special.

Volunteers in the United Way auditorium will take calls for contributions until 3 a.m. on Thursday. The phone line 1-855-205-HELP/1-855-205-4357 will be active only during the telethon.

Donations also can be made online at http://www.uwca.org or by mail at United Way Tornado Disaster Fund, P.O. Box 320189, Birmingham, Ala., 35232. To make a $10 contribution via text messaging, text TORNADO to 50555 to donate $10.

All donations will be handled and distributed by the UWCA Tornado Relief Fund. Donations will go toward the immediate needs of those most affected and to the long-term recovery and rebuilding effort, Nesbitt said.

Also on Monday, the African Methodist Episcopal Church announced its plan of action, including the establishment of five relief centers in central Alabama.

The centers will be open at:

St. Mark AME, 2715 18th Street Tuscaloosa.
St. James AME, 529 5th Way, Birmingham.
Lee Chapel AME, 4005 Lee Chapel, Birmingham.
Bethel AME, 1225 Alexander St. Dolomite.
Bethel AME, 1524 Avenue D Ensley.

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