The Nashville Metropolitan Police Department has teamed up with U.S. Veterans Service Help Operations Corps (VSHOC) to aid victims of recent flooding in eastern Kentucky.
A box set up at Nashville Town Hall is ready to receive donated goods such as manual can openers, bug repellent, camping items, baby formula and more.
Flood waters ravaged parts of eastern Kentucky at the end of July into early August. At least 37 people lost their lives after 8 to 10 1/2 inches of rain fell in just 48 hours in the Appalachian mountain region, according to the Associated Press.
The National Weather Service said radar-based rainfall estimates suggesting that 14 to 16 inches of rain fell from July 26-29, totals that are “historically unheard of.”
The flooding also hit areas just across the state line in Virginia and West Virginia.
“Most of these people have lost everything,” Nashville Police Chief Heather Burris said. “I cannot imagine the shock of that alone and facing more rain.”
More than 1,300 people were rescued in the days after the storm as teams searched in boats and combed debris-clogged creekbanks. Work crews were still trying to restore power and water connections as residents look to repair their homes and lives after the floods.
Burris added that if people have items that are not on the donation list, but could be useful to victims, they may be donated as well.
Donations can be made until Sept. 2 at 4 p.m.
What to donate
Personal hygiene items
Soap (bars or liquid)
Shampoo and conditioner (adult, child and infant)
Dish soap and sponges
Toothpaste and toothbrushes (soft, medium and children’s); mouthwash; floss
Deodorant (men and women)
Laundry soap; dryer sheets
Baby/body wipes
Sanitizing wipes
Paper towels
Toilet paper
Wash rags; hand, bath and dish towels
Nail clippers
Feminine hygiene products (all sizes)
Hand lotion
Disposable razors (men and women)
Baby products: shampoo, wipes, formula, food, diapers (assorted sizes), pull ups, diaper rash ointment
Hand-operated can openers
Canned foods and non-perishables
Eating utensils; heavy-duty plastic ware; paper plates please; drinking cups
Combs and hair brushes
Tylenol; aspirin; Aleve; over the counter Sinus tabs (for adults and children)
Tubes of ointment
Mosquito and bug repellant (wipe-on or spray)
Rubber cleaning gloves
Work gloves
Band aids
Underwear: men’s, women’s, boy’s and girl’s (assorted sizes)
Socks: men’s, women’s, boy’s and girl’s (assorted sizes)
Cleaning products/tools: brooms, dust pans, buckets, sponges, cleaning solvents, work gloves, etc.
Flashlights and batteries
Wind up radios
Solar lights to light their areas at night.
Twine, string, duct tape, hammers, assorted nails and tacks
Drink mixes: Kool aid, Crystal Light, etc.
Powdered milk
Plastic pitchers
Plastic containers with lids
Camping supplies: Campfire grates for cooking, pots and pans for campfire cooking, utensils for cooking over campfires, etc.
