Leading apparel company Kerusso has provided assistance to Joplin, Mo., ravaged on May 22 by one of the nation's deadliest tornadoes. Killing more than 120 and injuring more than 750, the tornado—packing winds of more than 200 mph—was the eighth deadliest in U.S. history, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Kerusso CEO and President Vic Kennett said that his Berryville, Ark.-based company sent vans carrying apparel and supplies to Joplin. Kerusso partnered with Leggett & Platt in Carthage, Mo., to donate the supplies, for distribution by the Red Cross.

Kerusso also recently worked with a local ministry in Alabama to distribute more than 9,000 T-shirts to families and survivors in six Tuscaloosa communities, which along with other parts of the state were devastated by tornadoes in April.

"Recognizing the priority is to provide basic services to the disaster victims, we simply want to help as quickly as we can," Kennett said. "It so happens that our shirts and other supplies also convey messages of hope that can be drawn upon during these trying times."

Meanwhile, the Rock the South festival will become a disaster relief fundraiser in light of the recent tornadoes and flooding in Southern states. Scheduled for June 11 at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson, Miss., the event will feature performances by Newsboys, the David Crowder Band, Tenth Avenue North, Family Force 5, LeCrae and Manic Drive.

Elsewhere, GRAMMY-winning band Third Day spearheaded a tornado benefit concert on May 15 at BJCC Arena in Birmingham, Ala. The "Make Your Move Alabama Tornado Relief Benefit" also featured performances by Tenth Avenue North, Trevor Morgan and Rush of Fools, along with appearances by radio personalities Rick & Bubba and author/speaker David Nasser.

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