As the people of Louisiana look to rebuild after catastrophic flooding ravaged the state, residents in Elizabethton are looking to help in any possible way.
In an effort spearheaded by Brittney Madden and Jessica Ellis, donations of goods are being compiled and will be sent to the area.
Madden and Ellis are no strangers to assisting areas ravaged with flooding. This is the second initiative that has been orchestrated, with the first coming off the heels of flooding that affected West Virginia during the month of June.
“She and I were talking about doing something because I had done an event like this for the West Virginia disaster that happened recently,” Madden said Friday inside Elizabethton Collision Center, which is used as a drop off point for supplies. “When it came down to it and we started asking the same people who helped with that if there had been anything going on and we kept hearing no, we started taking in supplies.”
In an event dubbed as the worst natural disaster in the United States since Hurricane Sandy’s rampage four years ago, according to the Red Cross, Madden and Ellis have seen a wealth of local support.
“It’s been great,” Madden said. “We’ve had businesses like Big Lots help, Lynn Valley Baptist Church stopped by yesterday with around three trucks full of supplies, including 20 bags of new or gently used clothing. There were around 10 people helping unload the trucks with paper towels, towels, mens’ and womens’ diapers, bleach, buckets … it was such a heart-warming experience. It has really picked up just with the word-of-mouth through the community.”
The response has actually surpassed the previous endeavor with West Virginia, Madden said, adding that a handful of people assisting have family members in the state.
“For us, we’ve had a lot of success with the Louisiana drop off point,” she added. “I’ve talked to everyone that’s dropped stuff off and we’ve had a few that said they have family in Louisiana. They know what’s going on down there and it really hits home for them because it is such a disaster and they’re struggling with things down there.”
Madden was busy at work inside the center, but noted that a church was stopping by the facility later that day to pick up water that had been donated. The water transportation is being coordinated with the Hearts With Hands organization, she added.
But residents still have time to donate, Madden said. Elizabethton Collision Center and Vivacious Tans in Elizabethton are both serving as drop off points for goods until Friday, Sept. 2.
“I just got word from a lady that has family in Louisiana,” Madden added. “They’re looking for anything that kills mold or mildew. There’s also a big need for toiletries, feminine products, baby diapers and baby food. But we’ll be more than happy to accept any donations that people can bring in.”
After Friday’s deadline, the supplies will begin the journey to Louisiana.
“We have a couple of churches looking to get volunteers to help transport the items,” Madden said. “If anybody would want to help with transportation, that would be great, too.”
Being dubbed as the “Volunteer State”, citizens from the state bring out the best in each other, according to one state agency.
In a press release issued from Elizabethton-Carter County EMA Director Gary Smith, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) is applauding efforts like the one from Madden and Ellis, and asking Tennesseans to do their part after experiencing their own fair share of flooding.
“From the Great Tennessee Flood of 2010 to the many localized disasters since, Tennesseans are very familiar with the great amount of effort needed to help communities and citizens from the disasters,” TEMA stated in the announcement to the the Elizabethton Star.
TEMA Director Patrick Sheehan also weighed in on the issue.
“We are fortunate so many Tennesseans care for Louisiana’s flood survivors as if they are their next door neighbors, and want to help,” he said. “Let’s make sure the help from Tennessee is channeled in ways to have the most positive impact in Louisiana without creating a burden on emergency managers and organizations coordinating the assistance.”
For those who want to contribute before Sept. 2, Madden said she could be contacted at 423-213-5507 and encouraged citizens to either stop by Elizabethton Collision Center or Vivacious Tans.
According to TEMA, any individuals wanting to make a monetary donation can visit lavoad.org/how-to-help/ for more information.