‘Best volunteers you can imagine.’ Hilton Head collects items for Kentucky tornado victims
Dozens of volunteers worked in the rain Tuesday on Hilton Head Island collecting supplies and clothing to send to victims of the deadly and destructive Kentucky tornadoes.
Organizer Anita Cadman estimated that upwards of 250 donors had already dropped off items by the end of the second day of the drive, which started on Monday.
“It’s tear-jerking to see how this community has pulled together,” Cadman said. “It was a steady stream all day long.”
Volunteers will continue accepting donations from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday at the vacant lot that formerly was home to Modern Classic Motors on Main Street. The location is between J. Banks Design Group and South State Bank on the island’s north end.
The Associated Press reported that at least 92 people have been confirmed dead across multiple states after more than 40 tornadoes pummeled a wide area on Dec. 10 and 11.
Items being collected on Hilton Head are clothing, toys for children, hygiene products and toiletries, and pet supplies, but donors have also delivered tools, canned goods and bedding.
“Most of the items were new,” Cadman said. “Most people went shopping and spent hundreds of dollars. There were so many new things right from the store.”
One truckload of items from Hilton Head arrived at a relief center in Mayfield, Kentucky, on Tuesday afternoon, and volunteers were collecting items for the second load.
Even the Hilton Head collection site and the shipping were donated, Cadman said.
Organization for the event was supported by Brad Wilson and Phil Porter of Charter One Realty. Meg Zalewski arranged for the trucks, and Aaron Black with the Town of Hilton Head arranged for the use of the site. Ron Burke and Brad Huffman of Ace Hardware of Hilton Head donated 1,500 pounds of supplies, and Hilton Head Girl Scouts spent their day organizing donations into boxes.
Cadman said groups of volunteers from plantations across Hilton Head showed up to help.
“The best volunteers that you can possibly imagine,” she said. “Everybody has been fabulous.”
