This week on our WCTE Get Ready To Learn radio show, host Cynthia Whittaker Putman is joined by special guests Casey Webb and Jordan Branch, who were on the Clothing For A Cause planning team.
Together we will discuss the “POWER OF 5 Strangers.” It all started with a Facebook post when five strangers who were burdened for the families whose lives are forever changed by the tornado, decided to meet, make a plan, and make that plan a reality.
Last Saturday The Venue was opened to the public to purchase clothing that had been donated to tornado victims but had no place to be stored.
This group work diligently to organize, sort, arrange, staff, and sell this merchandise to the public with 100% of the profits going to the Tornado Relief fund.
They raised more than $3,500 dollars and are doing it again March 21, from 6-11 am.
Please note that they are taking huge health precautions- using a hospital grade cleaner, only allowing 10 people in to shop at a time, requiring hand sanitizing, and constantly cleaning all hard surfaces.
Click here to view the official Facebook event.
Here’s what Casey had to share about how it all came together:
“The group of us that met and put this together included me (Casey Webb), Jordan Branch, Roxann Williams, Sarah Rice, and Martell Curd.
After I saw Jordan’s post on Cookeville Strong, I posted on my personal page asking if I was to help organize a fundraiser if anyone would be willing to donate clothing or help us put it together. I had over 10 people comment and Sarah was one of the ones who said she wanted to help. We knew each other from previously having worked together. Roxann saw Jordan’s post and reached out to her. Martell saw her post as well and offered The Venue for the event and set up the meeting on Sunday. I guess the rest is history! We also had several other volunteers that came throughout the week to help us. Without their help we couldn’t have done it.”
This is a reminder of the power of a community that is dealing with an F4 tornado and the COVID-19. The positive power of social media and hearts to serve. With the help Of Rayne Galloway, they are donating specific items to several local non-profits including Putnam County Schools (TN) School System Students Services.
