Over 350,000 bottles of water, 2 trailers of supplies sent to East Tennessee

JACKSON, Tenn. — Last week, the Jackson Fire Department held a water bottle drive in support of East Tennessee residents who were affected by Hurricane Helene.

Over the weekend, other organizations joined in on the efforts with a specific needs drive, but just how much relief was provided to our fellow neighbors by members of the community? You wouldn’t believe that more than 350 thousand water bottles were donated from generous West Tennesseans, and multiple truck loads dropped off supplies Monday and over the weekend to affected areas.

Eight truck loads of water were sent to East Tennessee to provide immediate assistance to Helene flood victims. To put it in perspective, that’s 180 pallets and 377,000 individual water bottles.

“The turnout and response was overwhelming. And that’s just a testament to the spirit of West Tennessee, and we’re very grateful for that,” said Chief Don Friddle, Jackson Fire Department.

Jackson Energy Authority and Serra of Jackson partnered with the fire department in the specific needs drive. 2 large trailers were sent off, packed with food, cleaning supplies, and other miscellaneous items.

“The drive at Serra went well from 9:30 until 4:00. One of the items that was added was pet supplies and the first drop off in the mountain city area was at an animal rescue facility up there,” said Steve Bowers with JEA.

Even though the efforts began in Jackson, organizers say this was a West Tennessee community effort, as they received multiple items from agencies in surrounding counties.

If you didn’t get a chance to donate, another opportunity is available at a local school.

“We’re having a supply drive at USJ and it’ll be all day today and all day tomorrow. The truck is leaving Wednesday. You come and you can donate food, clothes, pet food, diapers–anything you bring helps, and anything you bring is going to somebody who needs it,” said Ellen Driver, senior at the University School of Jackson.

You can drop off items in the west parking lot between the tennis courts and football field. For a full list of supplies, click here.

At least 232-deaths have been reported from Hurricane Helene, which makes it the second most fatal hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland in the past half-century.

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