If you live in Whitley County and are looking for a way to help out disaster victims from Hurricane Helene Friday, then keep reading.
Whitley County officials, two local churches, a local school and others have organized a disaster relief effort for Cocke County, Tennessee, and the town of Newport, Tennessee, and are seeking donations of several items of items that victims are needing.
Whitley County E-911 Director Brandon Prewitt said that while North Carolina got struck much harder by the storm, local officials weren’t able to make contact with anybody on the ground there. However, they were able to get in contact with Newport, Tennessee, emergency management and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) officials.
Published reports indicate that the area was hit with record flooding.
“According to what they told me, it was pretty significant damage that they sustained,” Prewitt said.
For instance, several water pipes that were buried underground are apparently gone after the flooding washed them away, Prewitt said.
“They need drinking water and cleaning supplies and toiletries are necessities that they are pretty much needing right now,” he said.
Items that local organizers are hoping to collect, include: standard first aid items, such as bandages, Chlorhexidine (Hibiclens), aspirin, Tylenol, Benadryl, bug spray, and cleaning supplies, such as paper towels, disinfectant wipes, bleach, gloves, trash bags (large), buckets, mops and floor squeegees.
Personal hygiene items are also needed, such as feminine hygiene products, diapers, baby wipes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, and toilet paper.
In addition, non-perishable food, such as canned food, is needed, plus can openers, paper plates, plastic cutlery, baby formula, baby food, gallons of water, bottle water, and energy drinks, such as Gatorade or other electrolyte drinks for first responders.
Prewitt noted that Cocke County officials stressed that one thing that is not needed right now is clothing.
Items can be dropped off at Whitley County E-911 Dispatch Center, which is located at 998 Aviation Boulevard, Williamsburg from 7 a.m. – 7 pm. daily, or at Whitley Central Primary School, which is located at 520 Boulevard of Champions, Williamsburg from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. daily.
Items can be dropped off through Monday, Oct. 7.
Prewitt encouraged anyone wanting to make a monetary donation to reach out to Grace Christian Fellowship or Frankfort Baptist Church, which will each collect donations and then write checks to an appropriate organization or group in Newport or Cocke County, Tennessee.
Prewitt said organizers are still trying to determine when the items will be transported to Tennessee, but it will probably be Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.
Prewitt said that the two churches are currently also collecting food items, and that volunteers plan on feeding the first responders and citizens there when they deliver the food.
For more information, contact Prewitt at (606) 215-1401, Gerald Mullins at (606) 515-1895, Jason Wilson at (606) 215-0376, or the Whitley Central Primary School Resource Center at (606) 549-7060.
