Morning Pointe Senior Living's home office and its five communities in the Chattanooga area have partnered with the Samaritan Center based in Ooltewah to help Hurricane Harvey families.
The Samaritan Center is accepting item donations at its office located at 9231 Lee Highway through Friday, Sept. 15, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (weekdays) and noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Items can be dropped off at the large truck in the front parking lot.
Cash donations can be made at the front office during the normal operating hours Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Online donations can be made at thesamaritancenter.net.
Eddie Schwisow, communications director at the Samaritan Center, reflects on the nationwide aid and response received during the tornadoes of 2011 and 2012.
"We saw people from all over the country descend upon our community to help us clean up,” Mr. Schwisow said. “Since then, when natural disasters have struck our country, we have committed ourselves to giving back. In 2012, we had a similar drive for victims of Hurricane Sandy and have done smaller collections in response to storms in Louisiana and West Virginia since then.”
Though items like food, water, and clothing are valuable, he says other organizations are filling those needs, and that the nonprofit is focusing on items to assist with cleanup. “Our efforts will help the next and more lengthier step in the recovery process, the cleanup and restoration of homes."
New and gently used items are needed, including:
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Brooms
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Rakes (Garden and Leaf)
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Insect Repellant
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Rubber Boots/Cement Boots
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Coal Shovels
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Square-Ended Long-Handled Shovels
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Concentrated Mold Retardant (e.g. Milgo Plus)
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Sunscreen
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Cordless Drills
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Utility Knives
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Dust Masks/Respirators Rated N95
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Water Pumps/Hoses
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Heavy Rubber Gloves
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Wet/Dry Vacs
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Heavy-Duty Contractor Garbage Bags
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Wheelbarrows
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Mops
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Work Gloves
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Morning Pointe Senior Living communities across the Chattanooga area have been working together to contribute to the relief efforts, purchasing $400 in items so far in addition to donations made by the home office. The seniors at the assisted living and Alzheimer's memory care campuses also raised money for the Salvation Army, ringing bells at Hamilton Place to collect cash donations.
"Our hearts are with Texas," said Holly Holcomb, life enrichment director at Morning Pointe. "We have been blessed with helping hands that have come together during such critical times for people in our nation. We extend our compassion, prayers and support, whatever we can do, to help them rebuild and know that we care."
For more information on how to contribute, visit thesamaritancenter.net.