Whitley Co. Emergency Management leading effort to collect ‘second wave’ of donations for western Kentucky

Whitley County Emergency Management is working with Mountain Outreach and several local churches to collect items to help the people of western Kentucky affect by the tornadoes and severe storms last Friday and Saturday.

Grace Christian Fellowship, Mountain Ash Baptist Church and Cumberland Freewill Baptist Church are participating in the effort to collect donations over the next two to three weeks with the goal of sending them after the holidays.

“We are anticipating some of the donations to slow down after the holidays,” organizers said. “We hope to be delivering donations toward the first of the year so we can provide a second wave of items in those areas of need.”

Donations may be brought to Mountain Outreach located at 1040 Old Hickory Blvd. in Williamsburg between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Items may also be dropped off at Grace Christian Fellowship at 2233 Ky. 92 west in Williamsburg.

Organizers are asking for a variety of non-perishable items including baby diapers and wipes, personal care items and formula, toiletry items including toothbrushes and toothpaste, combs and brushes, deodorant, shampoo and soap, bottled water and Gatorade, pet food and supplies, household cleaning supplies, bags, buckets, laundry detergent, disinfectant wipes, tarps, rakes, shovels, brooms, plastic totes, trash cans, flashlights, duct tape, hand tools, rain ponchos, sunscreen, work gloves, grills, bedding and sheets, clothing of all sizes, first aid kits, grills, matches and lighters, phone chargers, generators, batteries.