Thumbs of the Week: Many organize to help those in need

Staff Reports • Updated Sep 15, 2017 at 2:00 PM

Thumbs up to Anthony Trawick and Kevin Jones, for organizing their own unofficial effort to help victims of the recent hurricanes. Anthony Trawick and Kevin Jones are a part of a team of volunteers in Wilson County that is collecting donations for victims of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. The group has four semi-trucks full of donations that will be taken down to those areas and handed out to victims of the disasters. When Hurricane Harvey hit Texas, Jones felt the need to help out again.After being turned down by a number of locations, Bargain Hunt in Lebanon agreed to allow the group to set up semi-trucks in its parking lot for the drive. Bargain Hunt officials also donated one of their own semi-trucks with $120,000 worth of donation goods. A full list of items still needed can be found at the group’s Facebook Page, Tennessee for Texas, as well as up-to-date information on the shipping schedule and how others can get involved.

Thumbs up to all Sherry’s Run organizers and participants, for helping those affected by cancer. The 5k event was held Saturday and raised more than $310,000. That money will help families affected by any kind of cancer who live or seek treatment in Wilson County or the surrounding communities, who are actively pursuing treatment and demonstrate a true financial need. Many came to walk side by side with someone they love who is fighting the greatest battle of their lives. Some came to run their heart out in memory of someone they have lost. And everyone came to provide assistance to the hundreds of cancer patients and their families who will benefit from the money raised in the next year. The 99 teams that participated added excitement and morale to the event in a special way.

Thumbs up to emergency crews who travelled to help with disaster relief. Wilson County Emergency Management Agency deployed one ambulance with two personnel last Friday to assist with relief. J.R. Kelley, former Wilson County 911 director, also left last Friday morning to help as a volunteer member of the Red Cross. The personnel who deployed to Florida from WEMA were division Chief Shannon Cooper and Lt. Adrian McNabb. The two met other emergency teams in Murfreesboro and went to Chattanooga for an official briefing. After the briefing, the teams went to Florida where they were given their assignments. The Wilson County team arrived in Florida and assisted in St. Petersburg, Florida during the weekend with the evacuation of a U.S. Veteran Affairs, Bay Pines medical facility. On Monday morning, the team was deployed to Jacksonville, Florida, where they awaited tactical assignments to be handed down. The crew also helped in Tallahassee before heading home Wednesday.

Thumbs up to Lebanon Special School District, for welcoming the King Arthur Flour Bake for Good program, making Lebanon the first town in Tennessee to receive the program’s instruction on baking while students learn math, science and comprehension. LSSD also turned the Neon Mobile Cafe into a classroom on a regular weekly rotation.

Thumbs of the Week: Many organize to help those in need

Recommended for You