Billings Sending Needed Things to Helene Survivors in TN
Did you feel the devastation when you saw the destruction from Hurricane Helene in eastern states, and in Erwin, Tennessee? Want to send some love from Montana? Here's a way to do it.
Repurpose 4 Relief is a service project from the Upcycle4Good in partnership with Hare Express to truck material donations to Erwin. They are asking the Billings community to supply items for the rescue trucks to create a heartwarming show of support.
Items You Can Contribute:
The focus should be on Needs. What do the overwhelmed folks in Tennessee actually need? Here are a few suggestions:
Warm clothes in new or excellent condition; coats and wool socks; gloves and even hand warmers.
Diapers in all sizes and baby items. Warm baby clothes.
Blankets and sleeping bags.
Over-the-counter medicines and related items.
Generators and propane stoves.
Batteries in various sizes. Flashlights and lanterns.
Couple More Details:
You can also make a monetary contribution. Just scan the QR code below to give to the Upcycle4Good Foundation.
They do ask you to NOT drop off food or drink items.
The last day to drop off a material gift is this Saturday, November 26th. Better take care of this sooner than later.
Where You Can Drop Things Off:
The Shonna Key Team Real Estate at 2800 Central Avenue, Suite D
Any Shonna Key Team open house near you.
Family Service at 3927 1st Avenue South
First Congregational United Church at 310 N 27th Street, downtown
Harvest Church, 1235 W Wicks Lane in Billings Heights
Please Don't Send Useless Things
When I received the flyer of this Repurpose 4 Relief, I was immediately dubious. Years ago when I worked for a nonprofit, we were used as an outlet for people's stuff and junk. The in-kind personnel filled the trash bin daily. I also saw relief efforts inundated with useless things. Ice skates in Africa? Teddy bears by the thousands for a single school? A vinyl record player or cassette boom-box?
Please, please do not use this service endeavor as an opportunity to clean out your attic or garage. People in the destroyed areas don't need old Christmas decorations. They don't need a half-built carburetor or barely running lawn mower. Don't burden the volunteers with your stuff. If you're not willing to wear the clothing or put your kids in them, if you are not wanting the items in the living room or bedrooms, they don't want them either.
Please remember Needs and in new or excellent condition.
And Thanks Much for your Care in this enterprise.
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