Sapphire's Hosting Tornado Fundraiser Saturday

When Bobby Brown talked to his daughter after the fatal string of tornadoes that ran through Alabama in late April, the news wasn’t good from her small town of Ider, Ala., population 776.

“She said, ‘Dad, it was horrible,’” he said. Having lived through Hugo and other disasters Brown knew small communities like Ider get lost in the shuffle during a sweeping tragedy.

“Your Tuscaloosas and your Birminghams are getting all the attention,” Brown said. “These little towns are bearing the brunt of the damage.”

On Saturday, Brown has organized a fundraiser to support Ider. The event begins at 2 p.m. at . The event begins at 2 p.m.

There will be Boston Butt barbecue to eat, and there will be raffles, giveaways, a silent auction, and a dunking booth. Live music will be provided by Chris Sullivan, The Watts Brothers, and The Occasional Milkshake.

If you can’t attend the event, you can still send a donation to: Tornado Relief Fund for Ider, Ala., c/0 Bobby Brown, 160 Ponderosa Drive, Ladson, SC 29456.

Donations have already been coming in from Facebook, and local restaurants and businesses have pitched in with gift cards for the event. “The response has been overwhelming,” Brown said.

Meanwhile, is still collecting donations for tornado victims and TJ's Beef & Brew held its own fundraiser last week.