EASLEY — As flood waters continue to wreak havoc on Columbia and the surrounding areas, locals here in Easley are stepping up to do their part.
Easley Firefighter Jordan Bridges was part of the team in conjunction with Pumpkintown’s Fire Department that ran tanker shuttles to Columbia earlier this week.
“There were five hospitals down there (in Columbia) that were in need of water for various reasons,” said Bridges. “We took those tanker trucks down there to provide water.”
The Easley FD was just one location out of many collecting provisions for flood relief to be delivered to the state capitol.
“We have had people from all over the area dropping stuff off,” said Fire Chief Butch Womack. “In fact, we’re getting ready to head over to Sam’s Club to pick up 250 cases of water.”
When asked who had donated the 250 cases, the firefighters said the donor wished to remain anonymous.
Other drop-off locations were at City Hall, the police station and several area churches and were publicized by word of mouth and an impromptu call for aid via the Internet.
Rock Springs Baptist Church had been collecting donations for the flood victims since Tuesday.
“This is just a smidgen of what people’s generosity has provided,” said Scott Allen, Missions Minister for Rock Springs, gesturing to a trailer full of bottled water. “We’ve emptied this trailer twice already today into our warehouse.”
Inside the warehouse was easily a thousand cases of water.
“A great time to show your spirit is in a time of need,” said Allen. “We’ve had donations from church members and non-members alike. Everyone just wants to help out and it’s that community effort that can do great things.”
Allen said that Rock Springs would be delivering the goods to Shandon Baptist Church in Columbia.
“You know, we may disagree on things — petty things like Clemson and Carolina or politics — but the great thing about Southerners is that we take care of our own. We band together, like family, because in the end, we’re all family. At least in the only real way it matters.”
