KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A program that helps facilitate volunteer opportunities said it is searching for plenty of people willing to head out to Cocke County and help the community clean up after the devastating flooding from Hurricane Helene.
Volunteer East Tennessee is a program run by the United Way of Greater Knoxville. It is searching for people willing to work different shifts throughout October, helping to clean up debris, remove trees or distribute donated goods. Anyone interested in general volunteer work can sign up online.
It is also searching for people qualified to use heavy machinery to help clean up after the flooding. Volunteers who sign up for this kind of work should bring their own tools, chainsaws, skid steers or bulldozers. Nobody under 16 years old is allowed to sign up for this kind of volunteer work.
Volunteers need to have their own transportation and should dress in long pants with sturdy boots or shoes for their shifts. They should also bring protective equipment like work gloves, masks and protective eyewear. No children under 12 years old will be allowed to participate, and children up to 15 years old need to be accompanied by an adult.
Volunteers will be given assignments and directions when they check-in for their shift, according to Volunteer East Tennessee. Check-in will be at 2591 Cosby Highway in Newport.
Shifts last 3.5 hours and are available starting at 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Anyone who wants to volunteer can sign up individually, or with a team, through the Volunteer East Tennessee website.