University of Alabama students had a choice when an unprecedented spawn of devastating tornadoes hit Tuscaloosa in the spring: Head home or stay put.

For two students who emerged from the safety of their fraternity and sorority basements to see the destruction around them on an April day, their choice was to stay put. What began with just two college students grew into a massive relief effort of 400 volunteers a day.

To hear students Patrick Morris and Ashley Getwan in their own words, listen to our extended NPC podcast here.

To read the full story in NPC's Annual Report, click here.

Photo Credit: Jeff Hanson, University Relations, The University of Alabama