HANCOCK COUNTY — As images of the destruction in Texas dominated news coverage, many Hancock County residents were inspired to find a way to help those affected by the hurricane — and first-responders led the charge.
Local police departments have organized a donation drive with plans to send a trailer full of bottled water to the affected region early next week.
Members of the Cumberland Police Department and Hancock County Sheriff’s Department posted pleas on their Facebook pages, asking residents to drop off cases of bottled water to their respective stations. They’ll pack a trailer later this week, and volunteers will drive the donations south, officials said.
Cpl. Mike Davidson of the Cumberland Police Department began organizing a donation drive, word of which quickly spread to other area departments that wanted to chip in.
Donations will be accepted throughout the week. Residents who are eager to aid in the relief effort can bring packages of bottled water to Cumberland Town Hall, 11501 E. Washington St., daily between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. Donations can also be brought to the lobby of the Hancock County Jail, 123 E. Main St., Greenfield, daily between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Hancock County Sheriff Mike Shepherd said his deputies will deliver the donations brought to the jail to Cumberland later in the week, when they will be loaded into a trailer and driven to Texas by volunteers.
Police are accepting only donations of water at this time, though officers encourage residents to seek out other means of giving away supplies, Davidson said. Water, however, is essential for victims’ survival, he said.
“Though water is causing a lot of their problem, lack of water is also a problem,” Davidson said. “They’ll need as much as possible.”
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Cases of bottled water can be brought to Cumberland Town Hall, 11501 E. Washington St., daily between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m., and to the lobby of the Hancock County Jail, 123 W. Main St., Greenfield, daily between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
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The American Red Cross and The Salvation Army are currently accepting monetary donations to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey.
To donate to the Red Cross —
Visit: www.redcross.org
Text: HARVEY to 90999 to donate $10.
The American Red Cross is hosting blood drives across Central Indiana. A list of locations can be found on the organization’s website.
To donate to The Salvation Army —
Visit: www.helpsalvationarmy.org
Call: 1-800-SAL-ARMY
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