By Ken de la Bastide
The Herald Bulletin
ANDERSON, Ind. — Members of the Anderson Fire Department and Local 112 have gathered donated items to deliver to areas impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Firefighter Andrew Csire traveled to Knoxville over the weekend to deliver numerous items donated by local residents.
There was a steady stream of cars at Fire Station 8 on Saturday as people donated items including pet food, canned goods, diapers and personal hygiene items.
One woman dropped off toothbrushes and can openers, which she said would be needed.
“At the hospital, one of the doctors was flying supplies down there and had so many donations he couldn’t take them all,” Csire said. “I wanted to get involved and got the fire department and union involved with my church ( Grace Baptist Church ).”
Along with his family, Csire planned to be in Knoxville on Sunday.
Firefighter Rob Closser said many people commented that they wished they knew about the effort sooner.
“We’re getting a lot of responses on Facebook,” he said. “People have been offering money for us to go shop and we wanted to help,” Closser said.
“We’ve done really well,” he said of the donations. “There is a chance we will be organizing a second trip.”
Patty McCoom delivered some items on Saturday after hearing about the drive on social media.
She said what the local firefighters were doing is “awesome.”
“I was hoping there would be a second trip,” McCoom said.
Taylor Huffman decided to make a donation after seeing the impact of the storm on television.
“The things people are needing right now, it kind of pulls at your heart,” she said. “It’s not much, but we can do something.”
Huffman said they have friends in the area who seem to be doing pretty well.
Lee Haney also dropped off donations.
“I’m very glad somebody is helping,” he said. “It’s a good idea to have a second trip. We all need to help out.”
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