West Tennessee organizers send several trailers to victims in Gatlinburg fires

JACKSON, Tenn — A community comes together to help East Tennesseans in need.

“It’s a good feeling to go and help people,”  volunteer Melissa Lowrance said.

Friday, two different organizations had people from all over West Tennessee coming together to drop off donations and pack trailers to send to Gatlinburg for those affected by the devastating fires.

“Gives me a good feeling when someone does something nice for me, so I like to re-pay that,” Lowrance said.

Melissa Lowrance saw a post on Facebook about people gathering at North Jackson Church of Christ to pack up donations and decided to help.

“It just takes a little. If everybody gives a little even if it’s just to come up and help for an hour or just a dollar here or there, every little bit helps and adds up,” Lowrance said.

“They said they needed 20 kids from Clarksburg High School but most of them said they couldn’t leave from school so we just checked out of school,” volunteer Harley Gossett said.

Friends Harley Gossett and Hannah Woods told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News they wanted to give back to a place that holds so many memories.

“We lost mostly where we have been our whole lives every year for vacation and most fun moments. It’s hard,” Gossett said.

And they said the least they could do was help.

“I really just wanted to do something for Gatlinburg because I love going there for vacation, so I figured I can give back since I have been there so many times so I just checked out early and came and helped them,” Hannah Wood said.

“Overwhelming, it’s amazing to see how many people came out and stepped up. We filled the trailer full.” One organizer Joshua Goff said.

Across the county, Joshua and Jessie Goff were organizing a donation pickup as well.

“We’re going to the rescue squad building on Dollywood Parkway and there are suppose to be over 200 people there to help us unload,” Joshua Goff said.

But all across West Tennessee, people are sending East Tennessee their love and support.

“Just know that you’re not alone, even places that are far away are still here to help no matter what.” Jessie Goff said.

“Don’t give up, just one step at a time because it will get better,” Lowrance said.

“We’re praying for you and we hope everything gets better and we hope this helps with everything they are going through,” Gossett said.