St. Joseph’s church helps tornado victims

MILLBROOK — Virginia Iannucci, a parishioner of St. Joseph’s Church in Millbrook, felt inspired to do something to help the people in Alabama who suffered tremendous losses due to the recent tornadoes. On Saturday, April 30, after a quick OK from Father James O’Connor, pastor of St. Joseph’s, to use the parish hall as a collection point, contact was made with people in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Peter Iannucci (son of Gino and Ginny) offered the huge truck and trailer used for his business, Two-by-Two Petting Zoo.From there, the project grew wings — an invitation to area churches to join with St. Joseph’s in the relief effort resulted in an outpouring of generosity. St. Joseph’s parish hall was open day and night for two days to accept nonperishable food, grocery and toiletry items, water, baby supplies, linens and blankets. Food, supplies and cash were donated by many Millbrook area residents and businesses.Volunteers sorted, packed and loaded the truck on Monday, May 2. The Iannucci family climbed in the truck Tuesday afternoon and began the 18-hour drive to deliver hundreds of boxes of much-needed supplies to the people of Tuscaloosa. This relief project would not have been possible without the generosity of individuals and businesses in the Millbrook area. Submitted by Betty Thurst.