Wildfire Relief Donations to Help First Responders and Evacuees

Local organizations are collecting wildfire relief donations to help first responders and people evacuated from fire stricken areas of Sevier County.

People have expressed a willingness to make donations of money and supplies to aid first responders and people impacted by the wildfires that have devastated Gatlinburg and many other areas of Sevier County. Below is a list of some community organizations collecting supplies, as well as information regarding relief donations. Please contact the organizations before collecting and dropping off items to ensure their collection effort is continuing.

The American Red Cross continues to operate emergency shelters in Sevier County and is asking monetary donations be made by visiting redcross.org/donate, calling 1-800-RED CROSS, or texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Kroger is joining forces with the East Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross to provide aid to those affected by the Smoky Mountain Fires. Starting today, Nov. 29, 2016, customer donations will be accepted at all Middle and East Tennessee Kroger stores, Northern Alabama Kroger stores, and Southern Kentucky Kroger locations. All monies collected will be forwarded directly to the East Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross. The company will also make a $10,000 corporate contribution to the relief efforts.

“We are thankful for this opportunity to work with the American Red Cross to lend a helping hand,” said Melissa Eads, Kroger spokesperson. “Kroger customers and associates have a history of giving during times of disasters such as these, and this one certainly hits close to home. We have stores in both Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, so a number of our customers and associates have been personally affected.”

To make a donation, Kroger customers can simply add any amount they wish to their total purchase at time of checkout. The amount of each tax-deductible donation will appear on the customer’s receipt as a contribution to the American Red Cross. 100% of the funds collected will be sent to the American Red Cross to aid those affected.

SEVIER COUNTY

Citizens National Bank: An account has been opened at CNB to accept donations.

City of Pigeon Forge Fire Relief Fund – Donations can be made at any CNB branch or mailed to: Citizens National Bank 200 Forks of the River Pkwy, Sevierville, TN 37862 Donations collected will be used to purchase bottled water, Gatorade, prepackaged snacks, hand wipes, and other needed items for first responders and those who have taken shelter. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated.

Sevier County Rescue Squad, 1171 Dolly Parton Pkwy, Sevierville, across from Sevier County High School is collecting water and Gatorade for firefighters

Stages West (boots and apparel store) at 2765 Parkway in Pigeon Forge is currently serving as a drop off location for Sevier County wildfire relief donations. They are specifically seeking the following: baby diapers of all sizes, adult Depends, hand sanitizer, and non-perishable snacks.

Barker Lounge, 1301 W Main Street, Sevierville, is taking in pets of evacuees. People are able to donate animal crates to the shelter.

Sevier County Humane Society is currently operating an emergency shelter for domestic pets and livestock at the Sevier County Fairgrounds, 754 Old Knoxville Hwy, Sevierville, and needs monetary donations made in person at the fairgrounds or via their website www.sevierhumane.org

Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant & Grill at 240 Apple Valley Road in Sevierville, (865) 428-1222, is providing free hot meals to any rescue workers who are battling the fires here in Sevier County. All members of fire departments, police departments and other official rescue squads, should make themselves known to the managers to get a meal. In addition, Applewood Farmhouse will be accepting cash donations for our local American Red Cross and will have collection buckets on site in our stores for those wanting to contribute.

Sevier County libraries are accepting toothbrushes and toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, body wash and loofa sponges, deodorant, tissue, mints, gum, snacks, water, Gatorade, coloring books, crayons, playing cards and pet food. Sevierlibrary.org

Wilderness at the Smokies, 1424 Old Knoxville Highway, Sevierville Community members are encouraged to drop off gently used and new clothes, blankets, towels, diapers and wipes, baby formula, personal toiletries, bottled water, and nonperishable snack items to Cades Cove meeting room, located at Stone Hill Lodge, today through Fri. Dec. 2, from 8am-11pm. Distribution of donated items will be available Wed., Nov. 30 through Fri. Dec. 2, from 8am-11pm. Both collections and donation dates may be extended based on need. Wilderness at the Smokies’ staff will be on hand to collect, sort and distribute goods. Those wishing to make a monetary donation are encouraged to contact the Red Cross.

Sevier County Economic Development Council is coordinating donation efforts as well. If you can offer supplies or services to help, please contact them at 865-428-2212.

LeConte Medical Center Volunteer Thrift Shop is accepting and distributing donations of water and toiletries, clothing, shoes and coats. Those in need of clothing and these essentials are invited to come by the shop to pick up the items they need free of charge. The Thrift Shop is located at 441 Parkway in Sevierville. Call 865-428-2586 to check on the Shop’s expanded hours of operation during the next several days.

 

BLOUNT COUNTY

Blount Chamber of Commerce, 201 S. Washington Street Maryville, TN 37804

Townsend Visitors Center, 7906 East Lamar Alexander Parkway Townsend TN 37882. *Drop off from 8am-5pm*

The list of items needed are as follows:

• Water/Gatorade
• Canned/Packaged Food
• (crackers,chips,candy bars, etc.)
• Dog/Cat Food
•  Blankets
• Diapers
• Jackets (Any Size)
• Gloves & Scarves

Remote Area Medical is accepting donations at its headquarters at 2200 Stock Creek Boulevard in Rockford. People can bring Gatorade or water, which will be taken to shelters. To donate call 865-579-1530 for more information.

Blount Partnership, 201 S. Washington Street in Maryville. Donations can be water, food for animals and more.

 

CAMPBELL COUNTY

Lafollette Church of God will be accepting donations: bottled water, Gatorade, lip balm and granola bars.

 

KNOX COUNTY

Knoxville Expo Center accepting donations (Tooth brushes, tooth paste, water, baby wipes, dog food, etc.) The center is located at 5441 Clinton Highway in Knoxville.

Hard Knox Pizzeria in Knoxville is accepting donations of water and other beverages, canned and packaged food to take to the Red Cross. Donations can also be dropped off at other restaurants in Western Plaza, including Blackhorse Pub, Moe’s, Runners Market, or Yassin’s Falafel House downtown.

Twisted Mike’s, located at 7125 Kingston Pike in Knoxville, is accepting donations of non-perishable food items and toys for children impacted by the fire all week. They will take donations to Sevier County on Friday.

 

JEFFERSON COUNTY

Fox Feed Supply in Jefferson City will serve as a drop-off location for Paws & Claws Animal Rescue TN. They are collecting bottled water and other drinks, as well as packaged snacks for firefighters. Items can be dropped off at their store, located at 250 W. Old AJ Hwy, Jefferson City, TN 37760. For more information call or text Wendy at 423-312-7400.

 

REGIONAL

YMCA will be accepting donations at all of its locations in East Tennessee.

All Firehouse Subs locations in and around the Knoxville area including Pigeon Forge, Maryville, Lenoir City, Oak Ridge, Sevierville, are currently accepting donations of cases of bottled water, energy drinks, Gatorade and anything of the like.

 

Photo: Chattanooga Fire Department / Facebook – The Chattanooga Fire Department sent teams to assist the Gatlinburg Fire Department.