Tears in Tennessee

In Tuesday’s early hours Tennessee was struck by a horrific storm that carved a path from 80 miles west of Nashville in Benton County, across Davidson, Wilson and Putnam counties, 80 miles east of Nashville. One single track of the touchdown was over 50 miles long. The tornado, rated EF-2 – EF-4, winds from over 110 to 200 mph, left devastation in its wake — houses, apartments, schools, businesses and most importantly lives lost, battered bodies and yet more missing.

We add our voices to those who are shocked, saddened and in mourning for the dozens killed and the scores injured. We join those who commit to recover and rebuild the Tennessee communities scared by the Super Tuesday storm. We are strengthened by the spirit of the Volunteer State that will be with the tens of thousands of fellow Tennesseans who will be pitching in to work crews and digging into their pockets to donate to recovery and rebuilding.

In just a day people have mobilized from Camden to Cookeville, with Nashville and Mount Juliet in between, to dig out, support those injured and the families of those lost, and to plan the way back for the communities that have been devastated by the storm.

We write today to share these thoughts and more importantly to provide some resources you can contact to donate your time and your money to aid in the recovery.

Press on Tennessee.

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Statewide/Middle Tennessee

Comprehensive List [link]

Community Resource Center – is the Metro Nashville designated agency to receive and to distribute all donated goods to Metro Nashville. We also are distributing goods throughout Middle Tennessee. [Link]

Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee – In the wake of destructive tornados, power outages, road closures and rescues throughout Davidson and surrounding counties, The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee has activated the Middle Tennessee Emergency Response Fund to support the affected communities and nonprofits helping victims address their ongoing needs.  [Link]

Currently 4 open shelters in Tennessee
• 2 American Red Cross Shelters – Centennial Sportsplex, 222 25th Ave N., Nashville, TN
• First Baptist Church, 18 South Walnut Ave., Cookeville, TN
• Victory Baptist Church, 1777 Tate Ln, Mt. Juliet, TN
• Highland Heights Church of Christ, 505 N. Cumberland, Lebanon, TN

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Benton County

Benton County Sheriff’s Office at (731) 279-4280

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Nashville

Community Resource Center – is the Metro Nashville designated agency to receive and to distribute all donated goods to Metro Nashville. We also are distributing goods throughout Middle Tennessee. [Link]

Hands On Nashville – is working closely with the City of Nashville and the Office of Emergency Management to ensure all of the available resources are in place to help the community. [Link]

Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee – In the wake of destructive tornados, power outages, road closures and rescues throughout Davidson and surrounding counties, The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee has activated the Middle Tennessee Emergency Response Fund to support the affected communities and nonprofits helping victims address their ongoing needs.  [Link]

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Putnam County

Putnam County was the hardest hit area of the state.

Cookeville/Putnam County Tornado Relief Fund – Donate directly to the Bank of Putnam County [link]

You can Venmo money to @CookevillePutnamCountyTornado
You can send money through PayPal @CookevillePutnamCountyTornadoReliefFund

Volunteers: mailto:[email protected] 

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Wilson County

Mount Juliet Volunteer Portal [Link]

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Numerous donation sites have been set up online. Use caution as times of disaster recovery are ripe for scams.

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