Donations To Be Taken To Illinois Tornado Victims
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Devastating tornadoes that ripped through the South and Midwest have claimed dozens of lives and ripped away all the earthly possessions of countless victims. But a local group, has provided an avenue in which West Tennesseans can help those affected in Harrisburg, Illinois. Joe Pearce, owner of Pearce Truck and Auto said he will do anything he can to help those dealing with the aftermath of last week’s devastating storms. “To see the tears in their eyes, it explains it all. They didn’t have to say a word. It was tears of joy,” said Pearce. Tornadoes ripped through southern Illinois last week showing no mercy to the town of nearly 10,000. “It’s devastation. It looks like a bomb has been dropped,” said Director of Missions at Beulah Baptist Association Jack Long. More than 40 churches have teamed up with the Beulah Baptist Association of Union City and Pearce Truck and Auto to help fill up a trailer with supplies and to assist those in Harrisburg. They believe the victims are traumatized by what the storms left behind. Organizers plan to take at least 36,000 pounds of food, non-perishable items and toiletries. “We can always use tarps. It’s in desperate need. People will actually use those as tents to stay under,” said Pearce. Canned goods, microwaveable foods, diapers, wipes, and coloring books are also needed. Organizers are asking West Tennesseans to donate whatever they can by Wednesday. “They lost homes, they lost everything. And in our small way we just want to come to them with whatever supplies that we can collect, put our arms around them know somebody else cares,” said Long. When organizers arrive in Harrisburg, the first thing they will do is cook a meal for those still without electricity. “This will be an ongoing process for us. This is not just going to be something where we just help for two or three days and then come home,” said Pearce.
