Tennessee Relief
God’s People are absolutely amazing! So very many of you have reached out to us wanting to help meet various needs from the horrible tornado’s that hit Nashville, Cookeville and this area. There have been over 25 lives lost and I know that at least 8 of them are members of the church, from at least 4 congregations. There are so many outlets to help through but I wanted to share what information I have received and found. Local television said this was the worst day in the history of Nashville. Please send me via text anything I missed or got wrong and I’ll update this (615 294-1453). Thanks.
First off, Matt & Macy Collins and their infant daughter were all injured but will physically recover. Their infant daughter remains in Vanderbilt BUT is doing well. She had a head injury. Their 4 year old tragically did not survive and so many of us are hurting with and for them. Matt is one of the ministers at Collegeside. Check out the GoFundMe Page for Matt Collins too.
Here is some general information:
The numbers of people showing up and the volume of relief work they are doing is crazy! Over 15,000 people showed up all over Cookeville, TN Wednesday to help clean up and more came today! Our son Philip said over 100 showed up at Mt. Juliet Wednesday to go out and help there. Disaster Relief continues to send out trucks. They had four on the road almost before the storm was over. Ken Lowery leads them well. You may know this, but they ONLY work through local congregations.
At the church at Baxter they are sorting loads of clothes: Baxter Church of Christ 224 Buffalo Valley Rd Baxter, TN 38544.
Disaster Response team is doing super work through the Double Springs congregation: Here is that church’s building address: 4665 Norton Dr. Cookeville, TN 38501.
UPDATE: Disaster Response Team (DRT) will be setting up and working with the College Hills Church of Christ in Lebanon, TN. They are accepting volunteers. Donations can continue to be made through this website or by mail to: Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team 9285 S. State Route 202 Tipp City, OH 45371. You can also signup to volunteer here: https://www.churchesofchristdrt.org/volunteersignup
Obviously, long term there will be some financial needs. Here are some places receiving funds that I know of and believe to be trustworthy.
Mt. Juliet contact Philip Jenkins 615 268-6868. Send money to Mr. Juliet Church of Christ 1940 N Mount Juliet Road Mt. Juliet, TN 37122
Jefferson Ave contact Rick Gilbert 931-319-7622.. Send money to Jefferson Avenue Church of Christ 521 S. Jefferson Avenue Cookeville, TN 38501.
Collegeside. I talked with John Nichols the preacher there. They will take money directly for Matt Collins or for general relief (they had 15 families who lost everything. Stub the check appropriately: Collegeside Church of Christ 252 E Ninth Street Cookeville, Tn 38501. They also have a GoFundMe account for their needs.
The Willow Avenue Church of Christ 1150 South Willow Cookeville, TN 38506 will also be helping folks out. If you want to send their way or talk with them the contact is Jeremiah Jeremiah Tatum 931-629-5585.
The Sycamore church lost a member too and had some members homes lost as I understand. They have a GoFundMe account set up too: https://www.gofundme.com/f/sycamore-church-of-christ-disaster-relief?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet
Also the address for Disaster Relief is: Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort, Inc. PO Box 111180 Nashville, TN 37222. They ONLY work through local churches when there has been a disaster.
I talked to one at the Holiday church and they said they don't need anything. The church at Colonial Heights lost a young family as well but I have not been able to get info on how to help there.
In full disclosure I have never worshipped/preached at Collegeside, Double Springs, or Colonial Heights.
That's what I have right now. Go, be a blessing. Don’t overthink it. Do good. I love our Family and what she does!!!! We are blessed.