The second deadliest tornado outbreak in U.S. history swept through the South last week leaving Alabama and surrounding areas in a state of ruin. According to the Washington Post, 337 lives were lost, hundreds have been injured and many are still missing.  Volunteers on site have reported that the damage is worse than that of hurricane Katrina.

Currently, the surrounding areas of Tuscaloosa are only receiving the aid of small foundations and church organizations. The media has had lacking coverage of the devastation, but the victims have been all but forgotten. Ginger Willingham, an Alabama native and wife of Oakland A’s outfielder Josh Willingham recently brought things into perspective, “In Phil Campbell, Alabama the Wrangler Plant has not even been gone through and there are bodies waiting to be uncovered. These are the places that need our help and awareness”.  

Ginger goes on to say, "Many families are staying in tents at this time on their property.  They are pulling their clothes out of the mud and washing it in buckets of rain water. Sunday, there was a rescue worker crying under a tree.  He was approached by another man. He said why are you crying? He said, "look" as he pointed up to a tree.  There was a child ALIVE in a car seat hanging in the top of a tree! He had been there for 4 days! Another 10 month old was found Sunday alive folded up in a piece of metal that had been taken off the top of a house. There some amazing survival stories....Unfortunately, there are so many bad stories.  Stories I wish to forget and pray that I will never see a natural disaster like this again."

Josh has also stressed this importance in the Oakland A’s press release asking fans for support, “The area I am from was devastated by these tornados and a lot of people need help”. Although their foundation was set up for underprivileged children, they are turning their attention to raise funds for those affected in their home state. Ginger Willingham

reached out to us for help through the MLB wives email database and we want to make sure we give our best effort to help the victims- with YOUR help, of course!

On behalf of the wives of the Padres’ players and the players themselves, we are asking you to help us in our effort to raise funds and collect donation items to send to the tornado victims as they rebuild their lives. Through this foundation, 100% of the funds and items collected will go directly to those in need of our support.

This Saturday, the Padres’ wives  will be at the ballpark at 3:30 pm to accept clothing, cash and check donations at the Home Plate gate, Park Blvd Gate, Gaslamp Gate, and East Village Gate. We will also be selling tickets to a post game autograph signing. The event begins 30 minutes after the game and will last approximately an hour. A $20 donation (per person) is required to enter the autograph signing. Each donor will be allowed to bring ONE item to be autographed by a player in attendance.

Players attending include: Heath Bell, Chase Headley, Ryan Ludwick, Will Venable, Rob Johnson, Mat Latos, Orlando Hudson, Mike Adams, Tim Stauffer, Chad Qualls, Cory Luebke, Clayton Richard, and Chris Denorfia.

Checks should be written to: The Josh Willingham Foundation- Tornado Relief

If you are unable to make it to the event but would still like to support this cause, a tax deductible donation can be made online at www.thejoshwillinghamfoundation.org

Update: You can drop off clothing donations at the Padres Main office from the hours of 9am to 5pm on 5/9 - 5/13.

Thank you for your support.
Go Padres!