SPANISH FORT, Ala. — Within one week, students in tornado-ravaged Tuscaloosa could receive more than $30,000 in direct aid from kindred Baldwin County spirits.

Baldwin County Schools Superintendent Alan T. Lee issued a challenge Tuesday to each of the system’s 28,000 students to contribute $1 each toward relief efforts that will be funneled directly to peers in both the Tuscaloosa City and Tuscaloosa Countyschool systems.

“The needs are dire,” Lee told students, parents and teachers in his plea, challenging local schools to “get to work now passing the bucket” and “show them what we can do.”

The Baldwin system’s roughly 3,100 employees should easily push the collected figure past $30,000, and Lee has promised to declare a countywide “Spirit Shirt” day when the total reaches $12,000.

A tally was not yet available at press time, but Baldwin County Schools spokesman Terry Wilhite said response in only three days had been phenomenal.

“It’s amazing how a little collectively can do so much good,” Wilhite said, noting the funds will be divided evenly between the two northern Alabama school systems.

“We’ve stayed in touch with both superintendents, and they’re just overwhelmed by our offer to help, and we’ve assured them we’ll work tirelessly to be sure the monies get to the families who need it most,” Wilhite said.

Gerry Howard, who was born and raised in Tuscaloosa relocating only two years ago to Elberta to be closer to her grandchildren, said people should never be surprised by the empathy children exhibit.

“All they see is people in trouble, and there’s this natural instinct to help. My girls remember summers at my house and all the people we used to go to church with, and they just want to help,” she said.

In fact, Howard said her 7-year-old granddaughter, Courtney, cracked open her piggy bank, putting $10 of her own birthday money with the $10 the grandmother gave each girl.

Meanwhile, 9-year-old Charlotte Russell, who is homeschooled, insisted her cousin who attends Baldwin County High School contribute $5 on her behalf.

“Kids will find a way to reach out. It’s just amazing to watch something so pure,” said Charlotte’s father, Patrick Russell.

In addition to Lee’s challenge, Spanish Fort Middle School is offering students another opportunity to assist tornado victims directly.

The middle school will be collecting non-perishable items through Tuesday for the smaller communities affected by the April 27 storms.

In addition to food and bottled water, SFMS Principal Craig Ross is requesting donations of baby and paper products. Parents are asked to drop off items at the school before the car line forms in the afternoon.

“We know how a severe natural — or man-made — disaster can affect our lives, and our students, faculty and staff want to assist those in need, as we have been assisted in the aftermath of hurricanes and the oil spill,” Ross said.

SMFS will collect cash donations toward Lee’s challenge through Monday, and Ross said parents are welcome to write checks for the effort made out to SFMS.

Meanwhile, Charity and Constance Johnson of Gulf Shores have enlisted their youth group to lead an impromptu mission trip, leaving around 4 a.m. Saturday, to Concord on the outskirts of Birmingham where their great-aunt’s home was obliterated.