NEWPORT — Working alongside non-profits serving those affected by Hurricane Helene is a priority of Tennessee Serves, an initiative headed by Tennessee’s First Lady Maria Lee.
Lee and a team of volunteers worked alongside a Knox County Association of Baptists Disaster Relief team to help restore a house damaged by flooding when the French Broad River overflowed its banks and covered more than 600 feet of floodplain last September.
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“I’ve lived here 54 years,” said homeowner H.C. Southerland. “I’ve never seen the water anywhere close to my house until the afternoon Helene hit. By the time it was done, that water covered all that distance and got high enough in my house to cover all the electrical outlets.
The DR team, along with Lee’s volunteers, hung sheetrock, laid flooring and removed debris.
“I think just bringing attention to what nonprofits are doing, like Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief, brings encouragement,” said Lee, the wife of governor Bill Lee, about the Tennessee Serves initiative. “I believe if we’re going to follow Jesus, we’re going to serve. That’s what He did. And getting out and partnering with nonprofits, getting out and serving by example, reminds our neighbors they are not alone.”
Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers have invested 6,671 service hours since Jan. 1 and have completed more than 110 jobs in East Tennessee as part of the Arise and Build initiative.
“There is still so much to do in the coming months,” said Wes Jones, state TBDR director. “There are plenty of opportunities to serve and those interested can visit TNDisasterRelief.org/AriseandBuild for more information or to financially contribute to the recovery effort.” B&R
