This week deadly tornadoes raced across Middle Tennessee, killing people, leveling buildings and displacing residents.

With its furiously whistling winds, rain and hail, the storms which raced across Nashville, Cookeville, and Mt. Juliet awakened something within us — something that storms, fires, earthquakes, floods — and all matter of disasters and catastrophes — that we are community and we need one another.

Tennesseans all across this state have faced adversity before, they have recovered, and so will the Nashville area.

Twenty-four people lost their lives in the tornadoes, which struck during the middle of the night when families were sleeping. Homes, schools, churches, and businesses were destroyed or damaged. In the aftermath of the storms, Tennesseans have come together to help those communities and the families affected by the storms.

Oftentimes, hard times and disasters bring out the best in people. In fact, there are so many volunteers and units in the affected area, they are asking for some who want to help to wait for now.

Here in Elizabethton and the surrounding area, businesses have offered a helping hand by collecting much needed cleaning supplies and school supplies for families in the Nashville area. The Watauga Association of Baptists is collecting Tide pods, dryer sheets and paper towels. Items may be dropped off at the Association office, 3871 Highway 19E, Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Bank of Tennessee, which includes Carter County Bank, is also collecting cleaning supplies and school supplies for the tornado victims. The supplies will be collected through Wednesday and delivered Thursday to the Lebanon Fire Dept., West Wilson Middle School, and Donelson Christian Academy. Locally, items may be left at any Carter County Bank location.

Food City is hosting a fundraising campaign to benefit the relief effort. The campaign will run through March 10. Customers wishing to participate can make a monetary donation at the checkouts. One hundred percent of the funds raised will be allocated to the Cookeville-Putnam County Tornado Relief Fund to assist with the relief efforts.

These are just a few of the organizations collecting items for the tornado-stricken areas.

Many in the communities of Nashville, Cookeville, and Mt. Juliet are facing enormous emotional and physical challenges. But, the kindness of strangers — not just loved ones — will temper the blow. In times of disasters, it’s just human nature to band together and be kind to one another.

There have been stories of hotels and air bed and breakfasts taking in homeless families, people of all races holding hands and praying together in support of those affected.

Disasters are times of disruption, trauma, grief, confusion and even horror. But they are also moments when people — indeed must — come together to help each other. Disasters serve as reminders that everyone is dependent on their friends and neighbors, and they don’t need anyone to tell them to do it, they just do it because it is the right thing to do. And, it makes lives richer and more resilient.

We are proud to be Tennesseans, but most of all we are proud to be a people who cares and reaches out to those in need, especially when they get knocked down and need a helping hand to get up.