Unicoi Co. EMA representative addresses donation confiscation rumors

UNICOI Co., Tenn. (WJHL) – Over the past week, people across the region have continued to provide donations for those in need. However, some have started to question how their donations are being used and distributed.

Dustin Anderson, who works with an Emergency Incident Management Team for Unicoi County, said the questions revolve around emergency government agencies.

“The rumors of TEMA in particular,” said Anderson. “And FEMA and other government agencies that are either confiscating, high-jacking or taking supplies from the general public that are trying to get to the volunteers and to the people that need it.”

Anderson said the truth is the exact opposite.

“What we’re trying to do here is dispel those rumors,” said Anderson. “Our volunteer agencies here, our volunteer collection centers are filled to the brim in this county, specifically the City of Erwin.”

Unicoi County Schools Superintendent John English said his personal experience doesn’t line up with the rumors about both TEMA and FEMA.

“We’ve had nothing but support from every agency across the board,” said English. “‘How can we help?’ ‘What can we do?'”

Donation centers like Unicoi County High School are beginning to revert extra rooms into overflow storage due to the generous amount of donations, according to English.

“We had to, yesterday, just shut off donations just because we didn’t have the capacity to be taking in,” said English.

Anderson added that people are not being turned away completely; they are just being redirected to another drop-off site.

“What we’re asking them to do is take those supplies to the Bristol Motor Speedway,” said Anderson. “They have a huge donation center that is not only run by the National Guard but all sorts of volunteers, as well. In particular, these donation centers are filled to the brim, which is a good thing, but they also want them (donations) gone.”

Anderson said that donations sent to Bristol will make its way back.

“As they start to diminish and those supplies start to dwindle down,” Anderson said. “Bristol will start to send those back to needed counties.”

English adds that the amount of donations has been positively overwhelming.

“We cannot express how grateful we are,” said English. “And it’s a good thing to have to say, ‘Wow, we have so many things.’ Give us a couple, three days to sort of reassess and get into distribution mode.”

Both English and Anderson said the number of donations is helpful, but they’re more concerned that people can connect with the resources they need.

“There’s so many people in need right now,” said English. “And there’s such a spirit of giving and helping so as we get information about certain areas that are in need, we’re passing that along.”

“We just need the community to know that these supplies are here and these volunteers are working tirelessly around the clock,” Anderson said. “Making sure that these needs are being met by those communities and those members of the community that need them.”

Places in Unicoi County operating as donation/distribution centers include the following:

• Unicoi County High School
  • 700 S Mohawk Drive
• Temple Hill Elementary School
  • 797 Old Highway Road
• Flag Pond Elementary School
  • 917 Old Ashville Highway
• Evergreen Free Will Baptist
  • 910 Hoback Street
• SouthSide Free Will Baptist
  • 1313 Chestoa Pike
• Calvary Baptist Church
  • 540 Adams Street

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