DEMOPOLIS &045; Community members have joined together to provide assistance to the victims of last week’s F1 tornado that destroyed their homes and the majority of their belongings.

People living in Oak Park Trailer Park and The Villas apartments and other area residents received devastating damage to their homes.

Jowers said there are a lot of items needed for the families.

Jowers said there has also been a checking account set up as part of relief efforts for the victims. The account is at Robertson Banking Co. Westside branch in care of Officer Richard Bryant for the tornado victims. The account is listed as Demopolis Tornado Relief Fund, account number 4649982.

Jowers said the disaster relief group is working for anyone and everyone that needs assistance and doesn’t know where to go.

Assistance is need not only for the displaced families of The Villa apartments, but also for families displaces for the trailer park and other areas that were destroyed in the storm.

Blair said these families have received some assistance from the area but still have needs to be met.

Blair said immediately following the storm, a local hotel provided a place for the victims to stay, but the allotted time has ran out there.

Blair said the families will be able to go into the apartment building tomorrow to see what, if anything is salvageable from their apartments.

Blair said every building in her apartment complex received some damage, but apartment building B, where the displaced victims resided was completely demolished by the storm.

Jowers said the families are in hopes of recovering as many items as possible from the storm wreckage, but because insulation came in on the majority of their property it is unlikely that much will be salvaged.

A storage unit has been donated by Ben Sherrod to use for the collected items.

Jowers said Bryant will also be in charge of the storage unit.

Donations can be dropped off from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. weekdays, at Angel Wing Gallery, 104 N. Walnut, Ave., Demopolis or people with donations can contact Jowers at 334-289-4531.

Jowers said smaller items could also be dropped off at the office of The Villas Apartments if needed.

Area churches and organizations are also taking donations for the storm victims. First Presbyterian Church of Demopolis is working on a drive to collect items for the displaced families. Fairhaven Baptist Church is collecting donations from its congregation for the relief fund.

Jowers said any leftover donated items would be donated to the Bargain Box or the Salvation Army.

Blair said Jowers and his family has been the activists behind relief efforts that have been made for the victims.