Tornado relief, donation information
Special to the News
Submitted by the Coosa County Commission
Coosa County is very appreciative for the generosity that Elmore County and Autauga County are giving to Coosa County residents affected by the tornado.
All three counties have had tremendous losses, and all counties coming together, working together and helping each other is exactly what neighbors should do.
The Coosa County commissioners have been out working in their districts, and the Commission as a whole toured the county last Saturday along with elected officials, Rep. Ben Robbins and the Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter. The Commission is committed to helping our citizens and will work together with Elmore County and Autauga County.
Coosa EMA Director Sheldon Hutcherson has worked tirelessly around the clock to assess damage and help with tarp distribution. Coosa County is also appreciative for the Sheriff’s Office and all that it has done to assist following the storms. Officials started a damage assessment of Coosa County last Saturday morning.
Donation points of distribution have been established in Elmore County to assist Autauga, Coosa and Elmore counties.
Two Donation Point of Distributions (PODs) have been established in Elmore County to provide aid to those in need because of the tornado and severe weather events of January 3-13 in Autauga, Coosa and Elmore counties.
The Donation PODs opened Tuesday, January 17, and will be in operation for the next several weeks. Operating hours for the PODs will be Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
One POD will be located on the western side of Elmore County near the Autauga County line at New Hope Baptist Church; 6191 Lightwood Road; Deatsville.
Questions related to the Lightwood POD should contact 334-514-5675.
The second POD will be located on the northeast side of Lake Jordan in Elmore County near the Coosa County line at New Home Baptist Church; 1605 New Home Road; Titus.
Questions related to the Titus POD should contact 334-514-5699.
Citizens with unmet needs will need to bring some form of identification or documentation indicating their affected address is located within Autauga, Coosa or Elmore counties.
A donation drop-off location has also been established in Elmore County to assist all three counties.
Phoenix Wetumpka Industrial Investors have made approximately 200,000 square feet of their warehouse space located at 3145 Elmore Road, Wetumpka, available for donation drop off and storage.
“Although the circumstances are heartbreaking, Phoenix Wetumpka Industrial Investors is honored to partner with Elmore County and its surrounding areas to be a part of the disaster relief efforts already underway,” a representative said. “We share the community’s dismay regarding the unimaginable devastation that has occurred in the Central Alabama region. Phoenix is proud to be a member of the business community in Elmore County, but we also feel strongly about our role in local social responsibility projects. Phoenix looks forward to working with both State and County officials to offer all available resources to assist in the rebuilding process.”
The donation drop-off location began receiving donations Monday, January 16, and will be in operation for the next several weeks. Individuals wishing to provide donations should enter the facility at the gates guard house and indicate they are dropping off donations for the tornado victims.
Should a donation be in a large quantity, please call 804-305-6471 to schedule your donation so appropriate volunteer resources are in place to accept the donation.
Operating hours for the donation drop-off location is Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Questions related to the donation drop-off location should contact 804-305-6471.
Any item donated should be in NEW packaging when possible. We will NOT accept the following:
Shoes
Used clothing
Used beds or bedding
Expired food
Chocolate
Used appliances
Used furniture
Items to donate include:
Socks of all sizes
T-shirts of all sizes
Underwear all sizes male and female
Towels and washcloths
Sheets and blankets
Pillows and pillowcases
Hairbrushes and combs
Feminine hygiene items
Bar soap
Shower gel
Lotion
Disposable razors
Shaving cream
Q-tips
Shampoo and conditioner
Baby diapers all sizes
Baby wipes
Lysol spray
Household cleaning supplies
Trash bags all sizes
First aid kits
Batteries all sizes
Work gloves all sizes
Baggies all sizes
Brooms, mops, dustpans
Shovels
Rakes
Washing detergent or pods
Fabric softener sheets
Dish liquid
Dishwasher pods
Over-the-counter meds (not expired): Neosporin, band aids, Tylenol, Advil, aspirin, etc.
Coolers
Paper plates
Styrofoam or plastic disposable cups
Plastic ware (forks, knives, spoons)
Paper towels
Toilet paper
Non-perishable food (not expired):
Crackers (all kinds)
Boxed macaroni and cheese
Peanut butter
Jelly
Dry beans
Rice
Canned vegetables, fruits, and soups
Spaghetti sauce in jar or can
Pasta
Salt and pepper
Sugar
Coffee
Dry creamer
Tea bags
Cookies (no chocolate)
Pop tarts
Granola bars
Gatorade all flavors