Hey Everyone! i’ve been getting inundated with calls and txt messages as to how to plug in. If you are wanting to work, send me a txt and what times you are available. I’ll try and plug in where i hear something. Also, if you hear of an area or a home that is in need of help give me a call.
#4972823
Needs as I know of Now:
Hendersonville…
In Hendersonville You can always go to Southburn road back in the Wessington area. It’s easy to plug in there. Park on one of the access roads to Southburn, or one of the circles on the road. Then go to one of the food tents. Ask them where folks need help. Many houses are gutted of materials, but many still need help pulling boards and drywall. So come prepared with gloves, goggle/glasses & masks. If you don’t have something like that there is probably stuff provided at the food tents. There are also other roads in that area that were affected Chippendale is very similar in need as I understand.
Don’t head over to the Parks unless you have been requested to at this time. They are not prepared to handle masses of people. Wait until next Saturday for that.
Caldwell area is open up as of yesterday since the waters receded. I don’t know all the situation there, so I would say be very understanding and cautious if you head over there. I imagine that the folks over there are being inundated with people and spectators & might feel overwhelmed. If someone knows more about that area let me know so I can direct more folks to or keep people away.
Old Hickory…
the neighbor hood is asking for as many volunteers as possible to meet at the community center in Old Hickory at 8am to head into the Waterford Subdivision. Boyter & I drove into there yesterday after it opened up. There is a lot of activity there, but also a ton of homes needing attention. It is going to be hard work down there. Bring tools and be ready to work.
one of my neighbors is in need of cleaning out her basement. they had some 4 feet of water and her husband works for the news station and hasn’t been home enough to get into there. they also need their back yard mowed as its producing mosquito activity holding onto water. Dennis & Tristan Greeno got over there today, but for odd reasons were not able to get everything they wanted to get done.
Hospitality…
You may not be able to do the hard work kinda things. Totally cool! you can help out providing drinks, snacks or food. I’m promoting a Popcicle break at 2pm. Grab a bunch of boxes of popcicles, put them in a cooler and then go offer them to workers & families. It’s hot out there and that is a cool break and time to talk to families.
Got a cooler on wheels? just fill it up with something + ice and then drive around looking for workers in town. Hand out what you have or take orders (that can get expensive and generally people don’t care what it is if its cold and free).
Can’t Help ALL Saturday..
It doesn’t need to be your whole day. If you can come in jump into helping a few people or distributing food for an hour or two then that is a big help. this will be a long process so don’t feel like you have to work from sun up till sun down. any help is appreciated but coming back to places over and over again doing a few things gives people a whole lot more comfort than just slamming yourself for one day and sleeping for the next four.
get creative if you have a complicated schedule. recruit people who can help with you.. if you still feel overwhelmed in helping then give me a call.
that’s it for me, for now.
shalom
-gavin
ps: if you are in the old hickory area, you can come help me in my basement and other parts of the house neglected as i’ve been out and about tending to other more tragic situations
