In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Tennessee’s community colleges and Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCAT) have come together in a statewide effort to aid the residents of Northeast Tennessee affected by the storm. Coordinated by TBR – The College System of Tennessee, the initiative has resulted in the collection and distribution of over 14,000 cases of bottled water to the affected areas.
TBR Chancellor Flora W. Tydings praised the initiative, highlighting the essential role of the colleges in supporting their communities during times of need. Numerous colleges, including TCAT Morristown, TCAT Elizabethton, Walters State Community College, and Northeast State Community College, served as central hubs for water donations. These institutions, along with their students, faculty, and staff, were instrumental in delivering aid. Many utilized semi-trucks from their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) programs to transport donations across the state.
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Walters State Community College not only acted as a collection and distribution center but also provided meals through its culinary program’s food truck to storm victims and volunteers in Greene and Cocke counties. At Northeast State, students affected by the hurricane can access relief supplies due to statewide donations and the College Aid in Response to an Emergency Situation (CARES) relief fund. The college has also established a dedicated Flood Response and Relief webpage to connect students with necessary resources.
The relief efforts have also been supported by industry partners, with companies like Essendant donating significant resources such as 22 pallets of bottled water to TCAT Oneida, which then distributed the supplies to Walters State. Other colleges have reported similar support from local businesses, emphasizing the dual role of colleges in student success and community support during crises.
Financial contributions to the Foundation for the College System of Tennessee’s Flood Relief Fund are crucial for sustaining these relief efforts. Donations are being directed toward providing immediate aid and essential supplies to those affected by the disaster in Northeast Tennessee. Individuals interested in supporting the relief efforts can visit the Flood Relief Fund Link to make a donation.
Northeast State Community College, Walters State Community College, TCAT Elizabethton, and TCAT Morristown have set up dedicated flood and hurricane relief funds to assist their affected students, faculty, and staff. Donations can be made via the following links:
– Northeast State Community College Flood: https://givebutter.com/NESCCFlood
– Walters State Community College: https://ws.edu/give/
– TCAT Elizabethton: https://tcatelizabethton.edu/about/make-donation
– TCAT Morristown: https://tcatmorristown.edu/about/make-donation
The Tennessee Board of Regents governs the College System of Tennessee, the state’s largest public higher education system, comprising 13 community colleges and 24 colleges of applied technology, serving approximately 140,000 students.
For more information, contact Amy Finch at 615-366-0761 or follow on Twitter @CollegeSystemTN.
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