Miss Fountain City, Jaye Herrod, first learned of the Prattville tornado, on the evening of Sunday 17th, just hours after the devastating event. A student at the University of Mobile, the Prattville native checked in with her parents, Allen and Denise Herrod, to make sure that they were okay. Upon learning that her family was indeed safe, she attended Dauphin Way Baptist Church services that evening in Mobile and began to tell friends of what had just transpired in her hometown.

The next day, as Herrod poured over photos of a tornado-torn Prattville that were splashed across The Mobile Register, she knew that she had to do something to help her hometown begin to heal from the tragedy. “I felt so helpless being so far away. I was actually sitting in class thinking about what I could do to help my community heal,” Herrod said. “Then it dawned on me to let my pen be a source of comfort.” She purchased over 400 note cards and began hand-writing notes of support to the people who were affected by the storm.
“Other students at the University and my church heard about what I was doing and they wanted to help, as well. It was really amazing! Although it is a very simple thing, I hope it will really help those people not feel so alone.” According to Herrod, each note is different and sites different Bible verses that lend comfort and support.

Last weekend, Herrod returned to Prattville with a large bag of letters and a friend to help her distribute them in the Silver Hills area. UM freshman, Sarah Wilkinson, of Enterprise was on third hall at Enterprise High School last year, when the tornado ripped her high school apart. She survived without injury, but lost a very close friend in the process. “I wanted to come to Prattville and tell people that it will take some time, but each day will get better. Your life will be put back together, just have faith. Don’t try to do it alone. Let other’s help you,” Wilkinson said. She wears a blue arm bracelet that says, “Always Remember”. “When you survive something like this, you don’t forget but it does make you realize what is important,” she added.

To learn more about Jaye Herrod’s preparations for her trip to Miss Alabama, visit www.MissFountainCity.com. She is available to speak to your school, church or civic club about her platform, “The Pursuit of Character”. Call 358-0297 for details.