Update, 5:23 p.m.: Cleanup efforts are being put on hold until trash haulers can catch up to the volunteers’ work.
“Clarksville-Montgomery County showed up big time to clean up debris for their neighbors,” said Montgomery County spokeswoman Michelle Newell. “Due to the overwhelming response on volunteer efforts, county, city and private haulers need to catch up with the debris pick-up. This means we need to keep the streets and property areas clear of vehicles and foot traffic to allow the heavy machinery to easily navigate through the roads. This will expedite the clean-up and power restoration recovery phase.
“We ask for patience and a pause as we start the next phase of the clean-up effort. This is potentially a long-term revolving process of gathering and piling debris and moving it away from properties. So, we ask our volunteers to be prepared for an extended period of recovery,” Newell said.
“We will need your assistance again within the next few days. Please pay close attention to continued updates and a formal announcement of when and what is needed.”
Call 931-245-2988 to be added to the volunteer list. If you need assistance please call the Red Cross at 800-733-27677.
Update, 2:12 p.m.: Student athletes from Clarksville High School helped with debris cleanup on Monday. Head football coach Isaac Shelby, along with assistant coaches Taylor Stanley and Ken Freeman, organized volunteer groups, and about 60 student athletes showed up to help.
“We brought everyone together to volunteer to give everyone in the city a sense of hope and unity,” said junior running back James Dalrymple. “It is good to see everyone in the city come together and support one another.”
Update, 2 p.m.: Volunteers are no longer needed at the West Creek Elementary site. New volunteers should go to Mosaic or LifePoint.
Knox Rives contributed to this report.
Previously:
CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Volunteers are gathering for deployment to Clarksville tornado cleanup areas, with long lines of cars reported as they make their way to the organization points.
Volunteers should be adults 18 and older with a valid ID. Carpool if possible. Dress appropriately for working in potentially hazardous areas where there is extensive damage and debris. Work gloves and appropriate protective footwear are required.
There are three gathering points:
LifePoint Church: Park at the church, 1915 Rossview Road, and ride a shuttle to the affected area near Exit 1 to remove debris. Shuttles will be leaving every two hours starting at 8 a.m.
West Creek Elementary School: Drive to 1201 W Creek Coyote Trail, to remove debris.
Mosaic Church: Park at the church, 1020 Garrettsburg Road, and ride a CMCSS bus to designated cleanup locations. The buses will run on, or about, a two-hour rotation schedule.
For more information about volunteering, call 931-245-2988.
Other ways to help
Several initiatives are under way, and organizers of other initiatives should email information to news@clarksvillenow.com.
Volunteers
Montgomery County EMA is organizing volunteers. Call 931-245-2988 to sign up.
Mosaic Church is organizing volunteers to assist people in the area, or you can request assistance. Here’s a link to their signup form: https://mymosaicchurch.us/disasterrelief
Lifepoint Church is organizing volunteers to assist people in the area. Here’s a link to their signup form: https://lifepointchurch.churchcenter.com/people/forms/659525
Supply donations
Clarksville Area Urban Ministries Grace Assistance Program located at 217 S. Third St. is collecting donations for storm victims Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-noon. 931-648-9090
YAIPak Outreach is collecting cots, blankets, portable lights, ready to eat food, water, generators, household cleaning supplies, flashlights and batteries. Plywood. Large tarps. Totes with lids. They also need items for baby care like wipes, blankies, small toys to keep kids busy. These can be delivered to YAIPak Outreach, 1255 Paradise Hill Road.
Faith Outreach Church, 731 Windermere Drive, is collecting for Children 6 and younger: diapers, wipes, unopened baby formula, and small toys. To donate financially, Text “Relief” To 931-240-3033.
Gateway Baptist Church, 475 Ringgold Road, is setting up a dropoff location for donations. The drop off times will be Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. They need nonperishable food items, clothing (all sizes), shoes (all sizes), jackets (all sizes), water and monetary donations.
Northeast High School is overwhelmed with donations. If you wish to donate items, please take them to 120 Merchants Blvd., and they will be distributed from there.
Pet supply donations
Montgomery County Animal Control is taking donations for displaced pets and shelter animals. Individual items can be brought to the main shelter, 616 North Spring St., or the Fort Campbell location, 5290 Eighth St. 931-648-5750. Businesses wanting to contribute large quantities of items can be taken to Star Spangled Brewing between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. They are located next door at 614 North Spring Street.
Pet Studio is collecting supplies for displaced pets and families. Food for every type of pet – dogs, cats, reptiles, birds – can be dropped off starting 8:30 a.m. Monday at 1960 1B Madison Street.
Financial donations
Screaming Eagle Foundation is collecting donations at www.screamingeaglefoundation.org. Funds will be donated through the Clarksville Chamber of Commerce for use in support to the community.
Austin Peay State University is collecting donations to help their students, faculty and staff who have been affected by the storm. Donations may be given through http://givetoapsu.com/GovsEmergencyFund,
Salvation Army is assessing areas that have been hit and will begin snack and hydration service alongside emotional and spiritual care in Clarksville. Monetary donations are needed, and 100% of donations given will be used to fund emergency response and recovery efforts for this disaster. Donations can be sent through HelpSalvationArmy.org, by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY, or by mail to The Salvation Army, PO Box 436437, Louisville, KY, 40253 – please put December 2023 Middle Tennessee Tornadoes on your memo line.
The American Red Cross is collecting monetary donations at redcross.org.
Blood donations
Blood Assurance has had to ship extra blood, platelet and plasma units to several Middle Tennessee hospitals that are treating patients with storm-related injuries. Blood Assurance is taking donations at 1767 Wilma Rudolph Blvd. Suite E.
This article will be updated.
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