A Road Trip of Mercy for East Tennessee
Thu, 12/08/2016 - 18:00
Bolivar1
Area law enforcement and first responders from Hardeman County were part of the outpouring of aid from all over the southeast to help victims of the Smoky Mountain fires.
The Hardeman County Rescue Squad came up with the idea of “Goods for Gatlinburg” headed up by members; David Strain, Jackie Gandy, and Donnie Matthews. The goal was to collect a long list of items and leave Friday night to make the drive to Gatlinburg, not knowing what to expect once arriving. Some items included: toiletries, diapers, stuffed animals, coats, clothing, clean linens and blankets, plastic ware, pet crates, and animal food. In just one day, the citizens of Hardeman County helped to fill a truck bed and back seat with men’s, women’s, and children’s clothes, toys, pillows, towels, food, and hygiene products. The items were included with donations from another group in Jackson which included diapers, tools, water, food that along with Hardeman County’s donations filled up eight trucks and three trailers.
The City of Grand Junction decided to donate all items from their clothes closet at City Hall that contains items for those who have had devastating events occur. Grand Junction Mayor Curtis Lane donated his enclosed trailer to Police Chief Larry Hunt and Fire Department Director Buddy Cantrell, who dropped off the items at The Smokies Wilderness and Water Park on Sunday.
The Hardeman County Rescue Squad came up with the idea of “Goods for Gatlinburg” headed up by members; David Strain, Jackie Gandy, and Donnie Matthews. The goal was to collect a long list of items and leave Friday night to make the drive to Gatlinburg, not knowing what to expect once arriving. Some items included: toiletries, diapers, stuffed animals, coats, clothing, clean linens and blankets, plastic ware, pet crates, and animal food. In just one day, the citizens of Hardeman County helped to fill a truck bed and back seat with men’s, women’s, and children’s clothes, toys, pillows, towels, food, and hygiene products. The items were included with donations from another group in Jackson which included diapers, tools, water, food that along with Hardeman County’s donations filled up eight trucks and three trailers.
The City of Grand Junction decided to donate all items from their clothes closet at City Hall that contains items for those who have had devastating events occur. Grand Junction Mayor Curtis Lane donated his enclosed trailer to Police Chief Larry Hunt and Fire Department Director Buddy Cantrell, who dropped off the items at The Smokies Wilderness and Water Park on Sunday.
To view more, please log in or subscribe to the digital edition.