Martha Hunter resorted to Belmont Baptist Church for assistance after losing power, water, food, and her vehicle in Wednesday’s storms. Gordon County DFACS Program Assistant Carla Grisham helps her, along with others in need; sign in to receive help in any way that they are able to provide. Belmont Baptist Church has teamed up with volunteers from the Health Department, DFACS, Public Heath, and The American Red Cross to provide shelter, showers, meals, and referrals to other assisting agencies. “We are working as a state to provide for those who have been effected by the storms and who have lost food because of it,” stated Meaghan Bryant, Interim County Director at the Gordon County DFACS. “Details on how that will be done will be shared within 48 hours. Anyone with questions can contact the Gordon County DFACS office.” The church plans to remain open through tonight and tomorrow as well. If anyone would like to make donations, the facility is accepting tarps, cleaning supplies, heavy-duty garbage bags, bottle water, and commercially prepared food. (Tasha Bunch/Staff)
Alyssa Childs, Easton Childs, Brooke Childs, Brady O’Neal, Melody O’Neal, Devin Oesterle, Carolyn Childs, Colton O’Neal, and Joe O’Neal are just a few of the volunteers at the church trying to lend a helping hand. Volunteers have helped provide food, shelter, coffee, clothes, and showers. A few volunteers have also transported food to workers in the area that are helping with the cleanup. The church plans to remain open all day, offering necessities, as long as it is needed. (Tasha Bunch/Staff).
Gordon County and Calhoun residents wanting to lend a hand may donate or volunteer time to these places. This list is subject to change and/or grow.
- Lots of very nice new and gently used clothing have been donated for those affected by the tornado that struck our community. They will be distributed this Saturday (2/2) beginning at 10 am from the basement of Sonoraville Baptist Church. Organizers are still accepting boys clothing (all sizes). For more information on donating or to arrange delivery of clothing, please call 770-773-0779 or 770-547-5841.
SAMHSA offers a toll free Disaster Distress Helpline 1-800-985-5990 and a text with TALKWITHUS at 66746.Family, friends, first responders, rescue and recovery workers are at risk for experiencing distressing reactions to natural disasters. SAMHSA's Disaster Distress Helpline can provide immediate assistance to anyone! Available 24/7 from anywhere in the US. The FREE helpline offers confidential, multilingual counseling by trained professionals as well as referrals and other support services.
- Greater Community Bank of Calhoun has partnered with the American Red Cross to assist in disaster recovery efforts in areas of Bartow and Gordon Counties affected by the storms that swept through Northwest Georgia on Wednesday, January 30th. Through the American Red Cross Customer Donation Program, Greater Community Bank will serve as a collection point for monetary donations. The collection will begin on February 1, 2013 and run until April 1, 2013. Greater Community Bank will donate 100 percent of the proceeds from the campaign to American Red Cross Disaster Recovery. Anyone wishing to contribute funds to the American Red Cross may visit Greater Community Bank at 305 West Belmont Drive SW. For more information on hours of operations or making a donation, please visit GreaterCommunityBank.net or call 706-629-1700.
- www.gordoncounty.org/tornado is the official website where people can go to find volunteer opportunities and complete forms to be added to the list for notification for specific needs. This website will also have updates for donation drop off locations. The current drop off locations for donations are: Calhoun City Fire Department Station 2 (Richardson Road) and Gordon County Fire Department Station 1 (Belwood Dr.)
- Crane Eater Church on Red Bud Rd. is accepting donations of bottled water, food, diapers, towels, and any other item for tornado victims. The church will be a donation collection site as well as a pick up point for those in need from the tornado.
- The animal rescue league of is accepting donations for families with pets affected by the tornado. Donations include dog food, cat food, cat litter and pans, scoops, treats and bowls. Donations can be made to Belmont Baptist Church and Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. If anyone needs temporary shelter for pets as a result of storm damage the rescue group is willing to provide refuge no longer than four weeks. For support needed form the Animal Rescue League of NW Georgia contact Judy at 678-848-1889 or email the league at arlofnwga@gami.com. Also, the following resources are available for trying to coordinate efforts to locate pets that are missing, lost or displaced due to the tornado:
Friends of Gordon County Animal Shelter
https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofGordonCoAnimalShelter,
Helping Animals in Gordon County (HAG)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/128474327297269/,
Calhoun Lost & Found
https://www.facebook.com/groups/128474327297269/
Animal Rescue League of Northwest Georgia
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Animal-Rescue-League-of-Northwest-Georgia/69033909186?fref=ts
The Gordon County Sheriff's Office will provide security patrols in the affected areas. Anyone needing temporary housing assistance, please call 706-879-2850.
Gordon County Building Inspection Department is issuing temporary contractors permits to qualified building contractors. Please be wary of any contractor without these County issued permits during this state of emergency.
For more information, please call 706-879-2850.
To add to this list, contact Abbey Lennon via email at alennon@calhountimes.com or 706-629-2231.
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