Former Alabama defensive end Stephen Kulback (upper left) pitched in to help with other players and volunteers. (above) The group paused to show respect for a passing funeral procession.
A Team Effort for Tornado Relief
Posted July 1, 2011
TWENTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD Stephen Kulback has always put a priority on community service. He participates in everything from charity-fundraising walks to back-to-school drives. But one recent event drove home even more the need for getting involved.
This spring, former Alabama football coach Gene Stallings had been looking forward to hosting a festive barbecue and golf gathering for former players in Tuscaloosa. Then the devastating tornadoes of April 27 hit—just before the event was to take place—and going ahead with it was out of the question. Instead, Stallings had a better idea. Why not use the day to rally the players for a massive relief effort?
Kulback, who played at Alabama during the 2004 and 2005 seasons, signed on immediately. He’d already been working to collect donations for the tornado victims. He considered it a privilege, however, to be able to join in on a larger, more personal level with his former teammates and the many friends and family members—nearly 200 volunteers—who also came out to help.
Like most, Kulback was unprepared for what he witnessed as he drove through town. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” he says. “Nothing left was higher than five or six feet.” He learned about former players who had been impacted. Shannon Brown lost his daughter in the storm. Another, Wesley Britt, lost his home. In spite of their own tragedies, both showed up to join in the efforts.
“That sense of fellowship and mutual support was as powerful as the sense of loss we felt while we stood in a neighborhood where the only building left undamaged was the local church,” he says.
“A poignant example of that fellowship occurred at 3 p.m. that day,” Kulback continues. “While we were hauling away housing debris and rubble, there was a funeral service in the church next to us for one of the tornado victims. We stopped work and lined both sides of the road leading from the church to pay our respects to the funeral procession. Words don’t really describe watching the cars file by and seeing mourners, who were overwhelmed with grief, wave at us and smile through their tear-streaked faces.”
Kulback shares his experience helping to rebuild Tuscaloosa in part to encourage others to continue the work. Long after the media attention is gone, so much still remains to be done. He was proud to hear that Regions, where he works as a financial services specialist in Nashville, Tenn., made a $1 million donation to tornado relief efforts.
“After seeing firsthand what happened to Tuscaloosa, I knew it was going to take a lot of time and resources to rebuild this town that I love. For people not directly impacted, life goes on. But for those survivors, the struggle is still there every day.”
How You Can Help
Of the many ways to help, Stephen suggests donating through Nick and Terry Saban's charity, Nick's Kids Fund. Once on the site, click on the “Donate for Tornado Relief” button.
STEPHEN KULBACK is an associate with Regions in Nashville.
comments (3)
This story brought tears to my eyes. It always warms my heart to hear stories that uplift people. Thank you for sharing this.
Cheryl PayneI lost a cousin in the storm here in Houston MS from the April 27th tornado. I can truly relate to this tragic event. It is wonderful that we all can pull together and help.
Solzhenitsyn ShumpertSuch a touching story. I still hurt for the devastation to the town and the pain experienced by the residents.
Lucille Badger