Last week's devastating series of tornadoes in the southeastern United States has proven to be some of the worst in history, wreaking havoc upon thousands of homes while causing hundreds of deaths. The states that were hit worst, including Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas and Georgia, are scrounging for Federal assistance to rebuild homes and businesses and help the countless victims. Major farming equipment manufacturers like Classic John Deere are stepping in to serve their communities at the greatest time of need.

According to TriCities.com, the John Deere Foundation is donating $250,000 to the American Red Cross in order to prevent farm life from being disrupted in the states that were affected by last week's severe weather. This horrific event has stricken the hearts of employees at the John Deere Power Products Factory in Greenville, Tennessee, as they grieve over the death of their co-worker Bobby Gene Harrison.

"It's a huge loss for all of us here," Factory Manager Curt Cline told the news source. "We're a family here at John Deere and we're a very tight-knit group."

Aside from monetary contributions to Red Cross, the manufacturer is also providing its employees with the opportunity to engage in the relief efforts without losing pay.