Trailer to be filled Sat. in Colbert to help future disaster victims

When a disaster strikes, help is needed immediately — not days after the fact.

And Madison County citizens are leading an effort to gather relief supplies for the victims of the next severe storm.

“We don’t know where the next storm is going to be,” said Jody Blackmon, who initiated the Rolling Relief effort after last year’s devastating storms in Alabama. “It could be Alabama, Tennessee, pretty much anywhere this side of the Mississippi River.”

Madison County residents jumped into action last year, filling up one of Blackmon’s trailers with food, clothes, toiletries and other items for the storm victims, which were delivered to the affected areas.

Blackmon noted that it took 13 days to respond to last year’s devastation. And he and many other local residents want to make sure that there’s no wait for victims of the next storm.

That’s why “Rolling Relief” is collecting aid materials to prepare for the next devastating storm or disaster in the Southeast. A truck will be loaded at Colbert First Baptist Church from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate.

Supplies needed include: (new) non-perishable food items, soft drinks/bottled water, batteries (C and D) size, first aid supplies and sunscreen, hand sanitizer, toiletries/hygiene products, new clothing; (new or used) coolers, bedding, blankets, sleeping bags, ropes, tarps, tents, chain or handsaws, gloves and flashlights.