Additional Information for Tornado Relief Volunteers
Volunteer opportunities for tornado recovery and cleanup will begin Thursday, April 16 at 12 p.m. at the Hamilton Family YMCA.
Volunteers can view shift information and sign up for a specific shift at cha.city/volunteersignup. All volunteers should report to the YMCA at their scheduled shift time and will be deployed to assigned areas from there. Those who previously signed up for more information will be emailed by tomorrow morning.
There will be two volunteer groups -- manual labor and facility volunteers. Those deployed to do manual labor will perform tasks such as clearing brush and debris, delivering food and goods, and other outdoor activities that will require heavy physical activity.
Volunteers cannot drive their personal vehicles to sites, they will be transported via CARTA buses from the YMCA to designated locations. If volunteers have power tools or other equipment that will be helpful in the cleanup process, we ask that they bring those items to their shift.
Any unauthorized vehicle parked along the street will be towed.
Manual labor volunteers must:
- Wear closed-toe shoes
- Wear long pants
- Wear work gloves
- Wear eye protection
- Wear a face mask, if they have them.
Individuals who are unable to do manual labor are able to sign up to volunteer to help with operations that are being facilitated out of the Hamilton Family YMCA including receiving volunteers, donations, curbside pickup, etc.
All volunteers will be asked to use proper precautions to stay healthy during their shifts amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be available for volunteers upon arrival, but due to a limited supply, any volunteer with PPE available is encouraged to bring their own. Volunteers will be reminded to observe social distancing requirements during their shifts.
Shifts will continue through Sunday, April 19. After that, the City of Chattanooga and responsive agencies will assess the remaining work to be completed before establishing additional volunteer opportunities.
Donations will continue to be accepted at the Hamilton Family YMCA during the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Thursday, April 16 to Sunday, April 19.
Additionally, curbside pickup of personal supplies for families impacted by the tornadoes will also be available at the Hamilton Family YMCA from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, April 16 to Sunday, April 19.
Again, to sign up for volunteer shifts and see more information visit cha.city/volunteersignup.
Hixson Middle added to CSLA as a Tornado Relief Supply Center
To help our neighbors and community, Hamilton County Schools has established tornado relief supply centers as donation sites at Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts (CSLA) and Hixson Middle School.
The sites will help Hamilton County families who have been impacted by the tornado damage this week. We thank you for your helping hand in caring for our Hamilton County families and neighbors.
If you would like to help and donate items, we are accepting the following items:
- Bottled Gatorade or Powerade
- Bottled water
- Bleach
- Rakes
- Shovels
- Diapers
- Garbage Bags
- Female sanitary items
- Baby wipes
- Work gloves
- Storage bins (new)
- First Aid kits
- Pre-packaged snacks
- And any restaurant, home improvement store, or grocery gift cards.
Donations at Hixson Middle School may be dropped off Thursday, April 16, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. or 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Donations can be made on Friday, April 17, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Donations at Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts (CSLA) may be dropped off Thursday or Friday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
CSLA is the pick-up site for distribution to Hamilton County Schools student and staff families in need due to damage from the tornado. Pick-up will be available from Noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. Those picking up items may be asked to share the name of the child, and the school attended.
