The Durham Bulls have announced a new initiative allowing their Facebook fans to help the victims of Saturday’s severe storms and tornados. For every new Facebook fan the team gets between now and the end of the homestand on Friday, April 22, 2011, the Bulls will donate $1 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. The team is prepared to donate up to $2,000.

“This type of fundraising allows are fans to play an active role in our donation without dipping into their pockets,” Durham Bulls General Manager Mike Birling said.

Twenty-two people were killed and more than 130 injured by tornadoes and severe storms that struck at least 20 counties in North Carolina Saturday, state officials said Sunday. The fatalities occurred in Wake, Johnston, Cumberland, Harnett, Lee, Bertie and Bladen counties, said Julia Jarema, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Crime Control and Public Safety.

To become a fan of the Durham Bulls official facebook page thereby increasing the team’s donation to the American Red Cross, go to www.facebook.com/durhambulls.

Thanks to DBBC’s Matt DeMargel for this capcom story & photo.