CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – After helping over 275 stranded vehicles during last weekend’s ice storm, the Clarksville Jeep Crew is sharing how a love of Jeeps grew into one of the city’s most dependable volunteer response groups.

On this week’s episode of Clarksville Conversations, host Charlie Koon talked with the Clarksville Jeep Crew founders Barry Sullivan and Chad Hunley about the group’s origins, its organized approach to volunteer service and how members coordinate with local agencies during emergencies.

The all-volunteer Jeep Crew played a critical role during the storm, helping stranded drivers and transporting emergency and essential personnel when road conditions became too dangerous for many vehicles. Their efforts included towing a Montgomery County Emergency Medical Services ambulance up an icy hill on Springlot Road.

More than 2,300 local Crew members

Founded in 2019, the Clarksville Jeep Crew now has more than 2,300 local members. But Sullivan said the focus has never been size. “We really are not concerned about numbers,” he said. “We are more concerned about people participating.”

Membership is limited to people who live within an hour of Clarksville and are active in the community. According to the founders, that local connection helps ensure the group can respond quickly and responsibly when help is needed. “We all have the same goal in mind,” Hunley said, “giving back to the community.”

Before becoming known for storm responses and emergency assistance, the Jeep Crew supported local restaurants through events and partnered with nonprofits such as Loaves and Fishes, YAIPAK and Manna Cafe. Over time, their role expanded to also include pulling vehicles from ditches, giving people rides, assisting with tornado disaster relief and meeting other community needs.

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The group works with local law enforcement, emergency responders and hospital staff to provide assistance without interfering with official operations – coordination that proved especially important during the recent ice storm.

Give back by paying it forward

Requests for help from the public are typically coordinated through Clarksville Chat or through direct contact with Jeep Crew members. “That’s what we’re here for,” Sullivan said. “To help build the community.”

While some residents have offered to donate money for recovery or transport efforts, Sullivan said the Jeep Crew does not accept financial contributions. Instead, members encourage people to donate to local nonprofits and volunteer their time.

The Jeep Crew also emphasizes safety and preparedness. Members are offered recovery classes twice a year, and newer drivers are paired with experienced members before responding to calls. “They make the crew amazing because they’re the ones volunteering,” Sullivan said.

Charlie Koon and Jazmin Logan contributed to this report.

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