by Malcolm Butler
The devastation left by Hurricane Helene across many parts of the country has been life-changing for many communities.
As first responders continue to assist victims in these states, residents in Lincoln Parish can also do their part in aiding these communities.
Kip Franklin, Director of the Lincoln Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, said that people can assist through providing necessary and much-needed supplies.
“It is very critical to what is needed out there for these people who were impacted,” said Franklin. “They are still doing search and rescue, but people can donate supplies to Rolling Hills Ministries. It’s very very important to help these people and those first responders.
“Lincoln Parish has benefited from this type of assistance in the past with the tornado in 2019 and the Hurricane in 2020, whether it was people from nearby parishes or from other states.”
The list of needed supplies and the locations of drop offs are located on the attached document below.
In addition to the list of supplies, the Cocke County (Tennessee) Sheriff’s Department has contacted 5.11 by Karl Malone requesting assistance for first responders in Tennessee and North Carolina with secondhand pants, uniform tops and boots as well as other supplies.
Chief Bill Pace from the West Sterlington Fire Protection District of Union Parish is loading up multiple trucks and trailers with supplies and will be departing on Wednesday, October 9. The goal is to send as many new and secondhand pants, tops and boots to these responders as so many of theirs are water-logged.
In addition to uniforms and boots, blankets, socks, buckets, trash bags, heaters, toilet tissue, tooth paste, baby formula and boot dryers are needed.
Individuals can drop these off at 5.11 by Karl Malone located at 1913 East Kentucky Avenue in Ruston. Anyone with questions can call Stephanie Callender at 5.11 by Karl Malone at 318-680-3858.
Callender said individuals who want to donate money that would go directly towards purchasing new pants, shirts and boots for the responders can do so by contacting her.
