To The Editor:

The Town of Chesterfield initiated a fund raising campaign to help the small Alabama town of Hackleburg recover from the deadly April 27 tornado. Seventy-five percent of Hackleburg was destroyed in the storm. Over 30 Hackleburg residents lost their lives in the EF5 tornado.

Chesterfield and Hackleburg, though hundreds of miles a part, are very similar in size. Chesterfield has a population 1,472 while Hackleburg had 1,420 residents according to the 2010 Census. Chesterfield’s efforts focused on providing joy for Hackleburg children. Money raised will be used to help with a project to benefit the town’s children – a piece of playground equipment or children’s books for the local library, for example.

On behalf of the Town of Chesterfield I am pleased to report that a total of $2,145 has been contributed thus far to benefit Hackleburg. We appreciate the generosity of the following: Bernd & Helmtraud Abel, Tommy & Libby Atkinson, Chesterfield County Education Association, Edith Creasey, John & Natalie Douglas, David Gulledge, Roger & Sarah Jane Henderson, Hopewell Baptist Church Sunday School Class A2, Dewitt & Patricia Lisenby, Sue O. Mangum, John Frank & Betsy McLeod, Randy & Linda Mills, Oakland Baptist Church Kids For Christ, Rebecca R. Oliver, Tyler T. Phillips, Metta Pittman, Godfrey Read, Bonnie L. Shaw, Tony & Helen Stroud and Bill & Margery Stubbs.

Residents from throughout the area are encouraged to help with this effort. Those wishing to help with “Help For Hackleburg,” may mail checks (made payable to Town of Chesterfield – Hackleburg) to PO Box 350, Chesterfield, SC 29709-0350. Donations may also be dropped off at Town Hall, 112 Main Street.

The Town is also encouraging area citizens to donate to the American Red Cross to help with recovery from the disaster. Those wishing to make a donation to the American Red Cross may mail their checks to: Town of Chesterfield, PO Box 350, Chesterfield, SC 29709-0350 (make checks payable to the American Red Cross) or bring them to Town Hall. The Town will forward all checks to the Red Cross. By sending donations to the Red Cross to the Town, a total of all support from the community may be tabulated.

A recent study found that Chesterfield County has the highest incidence of tornadoes of any county in the central Carolinas. We have been fortunate to escape major damage for many years and by helping Hackleburg we can express our gratitude.

Sincerely,

John Douglas