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Volunteers Lend A Helping Hand In South Pittsburg

208 views · Published 16 July 2013 · 1:49 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2013 · News & Politics

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It's a tale of devastation to restoration in South Pittsburg. This after heavy rain tore through earlier this week wreaking havoc on homes and businesses. Now the community is coming together with the help of volunteers to move forward.It took about an hour for a dozen volunteers to unload thousands of dollars worth of disaster relief materials donated by Churches of Christ in Nashville. Everything from water bottles, to cleaning materials which makes South Pittsburg's road to recovery a bit easier.Actually we got a transfer truck of about seventy thousand dollars worth of supplies. It's pretty overwhelming. I know that the people of South Pittsburg will be very appreciative. We have some families in need, says South Pittsburg City Administrator Sammy Burrows.Burrows says every little bit helps since the possibility of federal funding right now is up in the air. After meeting with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency Friday, they're left with little hope.Of course, they were telling us not to get our hopes up because of the threshold we have in Tennessee which is eight and a half million dollar threshold on an incident, says Burrows.Right now the estimates are at $4.5 million which is about half of what TEMA requires to step in with funding.Meanwhile right down the road, all Jerri and Bobbi Tuders need is a rake, shovel and a little manpower to make a difference. Help people and do what we can do for them and stuff to get back if you can. Something like this, you can't get back to normal, says Bobby Tuders.Tuders owns a landscaping business but since the flood, he's put business aside. He and his crew are helping clean up front yards free of charge.It feels good. That's what you do when your part of a community. You're suppose to help your neighbors. You know, love your neighbors, says Jerri Lynn Tuders.City officials tell NewsChannel9 the materials will be transported to the police and fire station, where they will be sorted and distributed to families in need.There's a disaster relief center set up at the police and fire station on Elm Avenue in South Pittsburg. Residents can go there to put in a request for help with clean up around their home. They can also get disaster relief supplies like water, cleaning supplies and laundry detergent.There aren't any set hours for the center Sunday, but we're told someone will be there during the day. The center will also be open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 6 pm. Donated goods will be given out as soon as the city determines where the needs are.By Alyssa Spirato

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