Community Corner
How Can You Help?
We have a list of needed items and collection areas to aid those affected by the tornadoes.
The EF3 tornado that touched down Wednesday night and travelled 23 miles — from 5 miles northeast of Kingston to the Cherokee County line — with maximum winds of 150 mph left parts of Bartow looking like a war zone. A second tornado, an EF2, came from Alabama and lifted 4 miles southwest of Kingston. Both had widths of ½ mile.
At least 10 homes were completely destroyed, according to weather experts, but local officials say more than 200 sustained damaged.
Areas hit hardest by the storms include Cass, Crowe Springs, Kingston, Pine Log, Rydal and White. Assistance efforts for those affected by the devastion began shortly after the storms that trapped some people inside their homes and continued Thursday morning.
Find out what's happening in Cartersvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Now those efforts are getting more organized and here’s how you can help:
While groups such as and a number of churches and individuals are working through the local Emergency Management Agency to deliver food and supplies to affected areas, other items are coming from outside Bartow.
Find out what's happening in Cartersvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The county’s collection area is behind the gym and officials will begin Monday accepting deliveries at the 1657 Cassville Road location from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Reports indicate items donated from outside the county will be sorted by volunteers at the facility this weekend.
In addition, a number of businesses and organizations are collecting donated items, including the Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce at 122 W. Main St., which will give those goods to churches in Kington and Pine Log.
Each individual or organization wishing to help is asked to either bring donations to STARS or coordinate with EMA to render aid in the affected areas.
The and Northpointe Church in Adairsville along with have served as drop-off points, and is a collection site. We'll keep you updated on those efforts on our Facebook page as reports come in.
The items most in need are:
- Trash bags
- Shovels
- First aid kits
- Hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes
- Diapers
- Baby wipes
- Baby formula and food
- Personal hygiene items (razors, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, etc.)
- Toiletries
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- Paper plates and cups
- Plastic silverware
- Paper towels
- Canned food and drinks, including ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables, canned juices, soups
- Bottled water
- Peanut butter
- Crackers
- Granola bars and pre-packaged snacks
- Sweetened cereal
- Bottled water
- Furniture
- Dishes
- Pots and pans
- Pillows and pillow cases
- Pet food
- Camping supplies and sleeping bags
- Boxes and storage containers
- Flashlights and batteries
Cartersville Cares — also on Facebook here — has been providing meals to those affected. They are accepting donations through noon Saturday and are in need of:
- Bread
- Sandwich meat
- Bottled water
- Chips
- Apples
- Sliced cheese
- Large boxes for transport
- Lunch-sized paper bags
- Plastic sandwich bags
- Fruit
- Juice boxes
- Cookies, snacks (anything that would work in a sacked meal)
- Napkins
Those items should be taken to The Church at Liberty Square. Working with the county, the group plan to continues providing meals, but organizers say they won't need volunteers until Monday.
In addition to United Way, monetary donations can be made payable to the Bartow County Social Services Department with a notation that it is to be used for storm relief efforts.
Those donations should be mailed or delivered to the Bartow County Commissioner’s Office at 135 W. Cherokee Ave., Suite 251, Cartersville, GA 30120.
For more information, contact the office at 770-387-5030.
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