If you would like to help out locally with flood relief in Columbia, Connie Barnwell along with the Williamston Fire Department will be collecting personal hygiene products for flood victims in Columbia from until 7 p.m. today (Monday, Sept. 12). Local officials say these items are needed more than water. The donated items will be delivered to Columbia by the Williamston Fire Department. Barnwell said she volunteered to help with a collection because she couldn’t make a large donation to the Red Cross, but could sit and help with a drop off site and felt like she needed to do something to help. She has been sitting at the site all day and collections have been slow, but steady. She is hoping more items will be brought in by local residents this evening.
Needed items include soap, hand sanitizer, soft soap, tooth paste, tooth brushes, bleach, towels, paper towels, baby diapers, baby wipes, hand wipes, women’s personal hygiene items, non-prescription drugs, Band-Aids, tape, ointments, spray, bug spray, etc . . .
Also. officials with South Carolina’s Emergency Management Division are saying the best way to help with disaster flood relief is to make a monetary contribution to one of the many Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOADs).
Recommended agencies are listed on South Carolina’s Emergency Management Division’s website: http://www.scemd.org/recovery-section/donations-and-volunteers.
Organized donations cut down on transportation time and costs.
Other needed items include:
Children’s Items – Baby Diapers, Baby Wipes, Baby Formula, Baby Food, Non-Electrical Games
Paper Supplies – Plates, Bowls, Cups, Paper Towels, Toilet Paper, Plastic Flatware
Cleaning Supplies – Disinfectant, Bleach, Mops, Buckets, Rubber Gloves, Plastic Gloves, Sponges, Brooms, Plastic Trashbags.
Non perishable Food – Pop-top canned goods, dry cereal, prepackaged snack items, canned meat, Peanut Butter, 100% Fruit Juice, dry milk, Gatorade
Also – Blankets, Sheets, Pillows, Sleeping Bags, Cots,
Not needed – Used clothing, used toys
Those offering resources needed for response or recovery efforts, and those who can offer transportation for donations may contact Emergency Support Function (ESF)18 at (803) 737–8518 or (803) 737-8875.
