Unity in Crisis: Robertson County Steps Up for Unicoi County Flood Relief
ROBERTSON COUNTY TENNESSEE: (Smokey Barn News) — “Robertson County, as a community, values family, faith, and a strong work ethic,” said Robertson County EMS Director Brent 
Dyer. “So do the people of far East Tennessee and western North Carolina. With the historical and catastrophic flooding disaster that occurred just one week ago, some are still missing. Our hearts are saddened, and we keep the families of those who didn’t survive in our prayers. The devastation is unimaginable, and some of the images are difficult to process.”
“Hundreds of miles away, a drive right at 5 hours one way from Robertson County, we still call them neighbors, for these are our fellow Tennesseans. Support has come from all over to the good people of greater ‘Appalachia,’ and already the people there feel the support and love from Robertson County, Tennessee. Less than one week ago, our County sent an ambulance that was used to respond to emergencies in Unicoi County within a couple of hours after it was delivered.
“A young lady who lives in White House, TN, came by the EMS station in person to show her gratitude, as Unicoi County is where she is from, and seeing her current community support her hometown meant so much to her personally. A gentleman from Robertson County called to say that he has family in Unicoi County who, oddly enough, had a medical emergency in the early morning hours following the evening the ambulance was delivered. The man said he was touched when his family members told him the name on the side of the paramedic unit that showed up in front of their house: ‘Robertson County.’
“After learning of the acute needs at distribution centers for donations to affected residents in Unicoi County, Robertson County EMS/EMA coordinated a somewhat last-minute donation drop-off using our 20-foot enclosed trailer provided by TN Homeland Security grant funding years ago. Thanks to the community outreach through our partners at Smokey Barn News, word traveled fast. We hoped to get needed items to the contacts we established at the entrusted distribution centers there at ground zero before the weekend.
“So many basic and essential items were needed as recovery begins. Some of the biggest needs were simply bread, peanut butter, and jelly. In just ONE DAY… in a matter of hours, the Robertson County community filled the entire trailer to the top! A continuous flow of citizens, employees, and community leaders came through to donate. One of the first people to stop yesterday morning was a wonderful lady and gentleman from our County who brought a generator, gas cans, shovels, buckets, food, extension cords, and much more in one load. Their entire truck was loaded when they arrived. That seemed to jump-start the day of donations, and little by little, with so many doing their part, every one box of diapers, every box of food, and every loaf of bread contributed. By 6 PM, when we closed the trailer, we had so much that we needed a bigger truck! Some of the water will be moved into the bed of the F350 diesel long bed that we’ll use to haul the trailer, to best distribute the weight for the drive there. What a blessing!
“Robertson County really showed up… so many wonderful and good-hearted people in our County wanted to do their part to reach those in need from this disaster. Having the community donation drop-off was a great way to give anyone in our County who wanted to help an opportunity to do so. We will likely do another donation over a week-long period as needs continue. However, our goal with this one was to get as much there as possible for the weekend, as things are still in crisis mode there in far eastern Tennessee.
“Many wanted to stay anonymous, and some of our families, friends, and neighbors from Robertson County were willing to share what it meant to them to help others so far away, but so close in our hearts. Cody, a hard-working guy from Cross Plains, left work and rushed home to get his donations in time. He had worked hard all day as an employee of Nashville Gas. Donna, a Robertson County citizen, went to the local Lowe’s store in Springfield and, after purchasing items on her own, asked a manager named Scherry if she could help. Lowe’s of Springfield donated a stack of 5-gallon buckets to help in recovery and transport of donated supplies. 
“Robertson County District 4 Commissioner Jeremiah Pierce stopped by with donations and helped out while on site. Jeremiah is one of five Commissioners who sit on the EMS/EMA Committee for our County. Vice Mayor/Commissioner Fay Stubblefield is the Chair of the EMS/EMA Committee and plans to ride up with this load of donations to show her support and help at the distribution center.”
“This makes me so proud of Robertson County and all of our people,” said Commissioner Fay Stubblefield. “My heart goes out to our friends in Unicoi County, and we stand with them.”
“We have had great support from our County Mayor Billy Vogle and his office, other departments, and everyone in our County. We are making sure Robertson County is well cared for, and we are blessed, so we will go bless others. The team of personnel and representatives from Robertson County depart for Unicoi County once again at 8:00 AM Friday morning and hope to return home around 8:00 PM. The local Dunkin’ Donuts in Springfield has provided breakfast to our team on our way out of town to represent Robertson County and deliver much-needed disaster relief supplies to our fellow Tennesseans up east.”
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