SPANISH FORT, Ala. – Will Sanders has a lot to think about while making the trek to northern Alabama this weekend.

Sanders, the director of Premiere Cinemas at the Eastern Shore Centre, grew up in the communities of Concord and Pleasant Grove on the outskirts of Birmingham that fall squarely in the western corridor of the state known as “Tornado Alley.”

“Thank God everyone made it through from my family. I have a lot of friends that were affected by it, though,” Sanders said of the April 27 tornado outbreak that killed more than 230 Alabamians.

His road trip, however, will deliver supplies and donations collected during a Saturday benefit hosted by Slow Fade Studios in Spanish Fort.

The event, which begins at noon, will feature University of Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron and Eric Erdman, lead singer of the band Ugli Stick.

“The folks of north Alabama have always come through and been there for us when we needed them. Now it’s our turn to help them out,” Sanders said.

In addition to the donations collected directly, half of the proceeds from the Slow Fade’s total business Saturday will be donated to the cause, and the tattoo parlor will continue contributing $25 per tattoo or ribbon with a University of Alabama, Auburn University or Alabama State University influence to the effort.

Although no donations will be declined, organizers are asking specifically for all baby items; socks and undergarments of all sizes; and al varieties of batteries.

Slow Fade is located in Suite D of 10654 U.S. Highway 31, but it is certainly not the only option for Eastern Shore residents eager to contribute to relief efforts. The following is a list of some of the opportunities known as of press time:

• Spanish Fort Fire-Rescue is collecting non-perishable food items, water, clothing, diapers and other items at Fire Station 1 on Spanish Fort Boulevard across from City Hall during the normal business hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Chris Myers has established donation drop-offs at each of its Daphne locations from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. Suggested donations include water, tarps, trash bags, baby wipes, hand sanitizer, work gloves, gas cards (for chain saws), bug spray, batteries and flashlights, crackers and peanut butter.
• The Daphne Fire Department has been established as a South Alabama Tornado Relief Clothing Drive drop-off location.
• EasternShore-Mom.com is hosting “Couponing for a Cause-Tuscaloosa Donation Collection Drive” at the Eastern Shore Centre fountain from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Requested items include toiletries (shampoo, deodorant, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste and feminine products); towels; school supplies (for teachers and kids of all ages); non-perishable food items (with special emphasis placed on tab-popped canned items that do not require a can opener); baby items (food, formula, diapers); and first-aid supplies (bandages, first-aid kits, hand sanitizer and masks).
• Tameron Honda Eastern Shore, next to Mellow Mushroom, will host a carwash from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. All proceeds from “Clean Rides for the Tide” will be donated directly to the American Red Cross in Tuscaloosa.