BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–With more than 14,000 people forced to evacuate from the Gatlinburg, Tennessee region, the wildfires there continue to wreak havoc. To date, the death toll is up to 14 with more than 130 injuries reported.
According to media reports, more than 1,700 homes and businesses have been destroyed. Many people have no home to even go back to.
That’s why several days ago, Jim Wilson and his family, who call St. Stephen home, decided to do their part to help. Little did he know how much the community would rally behind him with his efforts.
“I am so blessed and excited to see how many people have donated and messaged me with donations for Gatlinburg,” posted Wilson recently. “There is hope for humanity after all.”
With the support of also the Charleston Exchange Club, Wilson helped organize “South Carolinians for Gatlinburg.”
On December 6th, he and other volunteers will take some much needed items, all donated from the community, to the Red Cross Campus in Pigeon Forge, TN. Those donations will then be distributed to people in need impacted by the wildfire.
The donations will be carried inside a 30 foot horse trailer and 21 foot box truck. According to Wilson, so far the generosity from the lowcountry community has been overwhelming.
“If the calls, emails, and text messages I have received this morning is any indication of how many donations we are going to get for Gatlinburg, then we may need more trucks and trailers,” stated Wilson. “Love the Big Hearts that we have in this country.”
Donations are still being collected until Tuesday.
According to officials, the Sevier county wildfire is the largest in Tennessee in the last 100 years.
For more information on how you can help the people impacted by the wildfire, visit South Carolinians for Gatlinburg.
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