Facebook | Josh Breslow
All across the US, people have gotten involved in various ways to help the victims of the recent devastating tornadoes in Tennessee, here are some of the stories…
The community of Donelson, Tennessee, has come together to raise money to buy a new van for a paralyzed, special needs woman after her home and van were both destroyed in last week’s tornadoes.
Members of the Donelson community came together to create a Go Fund Me page, raising over $34,000 to purchase a new van for the disabled 24-year-old.
One person said that it was more than a van for the handicapped woman, it’s the only part of her life that lets her escape constantly being stuck indoors and unable to get around.
A 6-year-old Fresno area girl named Pyper Diehl may be one of the youngest persons who has raised money for the victims of the tornadoes in Tennessee. Her aunt lives in East Nashville in one of the hardest-hit areas.
After hearing about how a tornado, or “tortido” as she calls it, had completely destroyed the house across the street from her aunt, Pyper wanted to do something to help. All on her own, Pyper came up with the idea of setting up a cocoa stand to raise money.
On Saturday morning, with some help from her grandmother, Pyper set up a cocoa stand Saturday on Ashlan and DeWolf Avenue in Clovis, California, which is near Fresno. She sold cocoa for $2 a serving, offering optional toppings of marshmallows, chocolate sprinkles, and whipped cream.
Amazingly, in a single day, Pyper raised nearly $800 and is sending all the money she raised to help Nashville families in need.
Cookeville Regional Medical Center has treated 82 people so far from injuries related to last week’s deadly tornadoes. A spokesperson for the hospital said it will not charge victims any medical fees.
For those with insurance, the hospital will accept whatever each patient’s insurance company provides as payment in full, without seeking the remaining portion after insurance.
“We will not bill patients for the remaining portion after insurance,” said Melahn Finley, a spokeswoman for Cookeville Regional Medical Center, in a statement. “If they don’t have insurance, they will not be charged.”
Nashville Mayor John Cooper is still asking people to donate to legitimate charities, community partners such as the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee at cfmt.org which is collecting funds for local relief efforts.
So many families in the Nashville area have been devastated by the tornadoes that caused damage over a 75-mile stretch last week.
Many homes and businesses were reduced to rubble. Many people have been left homeless, while others have lost their livelihoods.
Some homes, while left standing, lost their roofs and are in danger from further destruction from rain and thunderstorms.
The Nashville Fire Department is encouraging residents to call 311 for help if they need assistance with tarps and other supplies to secure their homes before rain moves into the area.
Families with college-age children are feeling the impact as well. Some students lost all their books and laptops.
With spring break arriving, a back to college laptop sale is around the corner, but families are hard-pressed to replace books and computers, as they have more pressing issues like replacing a vehicle and home appliances.
Donations are still needed to help the families hard-hit by this natural disaster.
