'What we are supposed to do': Maury County citizens gather resources for flood victims

Aug. 28—As Tennesseans watch their neighbors struggle from the devastating floods that have killed 21 and left more without adequate shelter, members of the greater Maury County community are organizing to bring assistance to those in need.

Maury County business owners and residents are leading the charge in collecting needed supplies, items and monetary donations for those suffering in the aftermath of the flood that brought record-breaking rainfall in under 24 hours.

The contributions and donations made will support those affected as they begin the long road to recovery from the calamitous storms.

"This is a fellow community in Tennessee that has been devastated, and we just want to do what we can," said Rebecca Stillwell, the owner of Columbia Antique Marketplace at The Factory at Columbia.

Stillwell said her business associate Jen Gash inspired the effort to collect a long list of needed items.

"We are an incredibly fortunate group of people," Stillwell said. "Part of that is having friends and support around when you need a lot of hands. That is what we are supposed to do. Next time, it could be us. It could be anybody. We hope to take a full van load on Sunday."

In Waverly, where floodwaters caused the most significant damage, uprooting homes and overturning cars as if children's playthings, one life-long resident of the community said the storms have forever changed the community.

As the recovery effort continues, insurance professionals state the majority of homeowners in the region do not have flood insurance, and renters could find themselves uninsured for the damages caused by the rising waters.

At Southern Springs, a retirement community in Spring Hill, residents are collecting diapers, baby formula, toiletries, Clorox wipes, paper towels and trash bags as well as new pillows and pillow cases to be shipped off to those in need in Waverly and surrounding communities.

Members of the public are also encouraged to drop off supplies.

Gift cards to major retailers like Walmart, Amazon and Lowe's are also welcomed.

The community has collected more than $3,000 in gift cards that will help families rebuild.

"All of us who are not affected cannot imagine walking back to our homes and seeing everything gone," said Heather McCarl, lifestyles director at Southern Springs subdivision in Spring Hill.

"We have an amazing community of people, who want to give back and contribute." McCarl said. "This is the beginning of an ongoing effort for us. We are collecting the immediate needs right now, and gift cards especially will help them get back on their feet.

A collection center has been established at the front porch of Southern Springs' community center located at 2007 Southern Springs Parkway in Spring Hill.

Donations are being collected at the center Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"When we see another community like ours hurting, it is personal," McCarl said. "We want to do everything we can to help."

On Friday and Saturday, the Columbia Antique Marketplace took donations for needed supplies and will deliver the donated items to agencies offering aid.

The store's owners plan to fill their large box truck usually used to make store deliveries with the donated supplies.

The antique mall is collecting the following items:

— Garbage/Contractor Bags

— Shovels

— Work Gloves

— Cleaning Supplies: Bleach/Cleaning Spray

— Pet Food/Collars/Leashes

— Blankets

— Towels

— Diapers/Wipes/Pull-Ups

— Toilet Paper

— Paper Towels

— Soap/Shampoo/Body Wash

— Toothpaste/Toothbrushes

— Razors/Deodorant

— Tampons/Maxi-pads

— Socks: all sizes

— Paper plates/Plastic Utensils

The drop off spot for donated items is at the marketplace, 101 N. James Campbell Blvd. in Columbia.

Donations can still be made between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.

Hattie Jane's Creamery is currently collecting diapers for those affected by the floods.

The public is encouraged to bring diapers, wipes and pull-ups to the ice cream parlor's locations in Columbia, Franklin and Murfreesboro.

Those who offer a donation will receive 15% off their order.

Hattie Jane's is located in Columbia at 16 Public Square, 3078 Maddux Way, Suite 100 in Franklin and at 116 N. Church St. in Murfreesboro.

The Columbia location is open from Sunday through Thursday from 12 to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Franklin, the shop is open Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m.to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Murfreesboro location is open Sunday through Thursday from 12 to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Columbia's Maury Hills Church has collected more than $10,000 to support those affected by the flood.

The funds collected by the nondenominational church with roots in the American Restoration Movement will go toward supporting those who have lost loved ones in the flooding.

"We want to help those families that have lost loved ones," said Russ Adcox, the lead pastor at Maury Hills. "Thinking about the expense of an unexpected death, we thought this might be a way to help offset that."

With many groups working to collect supplies, Adcox said the church wanted to find another way to support those affect by the flood waters.

"I am always amazed how here in Tennessee everyone comes together," Adcox said. "Since there was many people organizing, we wanted to see how we could help. It is encouraging to see people meet the needs of their neighbors in times like this."

Those seeking to contribute to the effort can make a contribution to @MauryHills on the fund sharing service Venmo.

Maury Hills is also collecting monetary contributions on its website at https://www.mauryhills.com/give.

Reach Mike Christen at mchristen@c-dh.net. Follow him on Twitter at @MikeChristenCDH and on Instagram @michaelmarco. Please consider supporting his work and that of other Daily Herald journalists by subscribing to the publication.

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