Turkey Creek gathering goods

Not only is Shelia Fontenot of St. Landry helping her daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter who were victims of last weekend’s flood, she is also helping complete strangers.
Fontenot said, “My daughter Candace lives in St. Amant, and she had water up to the windows on her home. We do not even know if they can get to the house. We wanted to get down there with a trailer and see if we can get some of their stuff, at least to wash and save some of their clothes.
“My great-granddaughter Maddie Minot lives there, too. She’s in Belle Rose right now with her other grandmother. We hope to get her here if we can get there and get her enrolled in school in Pine Prairie. My daughter and granddaughter
have family here, but some of those people only have family in that area.”
On Wednesday morning, Fontenot pulled up to the Turkey Creek Village Hall to drop off clothes to volunteers Lelia Thrasher, Jessica Guillot, Tammy Messer and Roger Clark, who also works for the village.
Last Sunday, Thrasher posted on Facebook that donations of food, clothing, toiletries,
cleaning supplies, money and any other items that would be of use to help flood victims would be accepted at the village hall starting Aug. 15. The center will be reopen from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 22-24 for those who would like to donate. Thrasher said donations can also be dropped off after hours at the building’s front door.
“We will accept items as long as they are needed,” Thrasher said. “Me, Heather (Cloud) and other volunteers came together, and it was great minds think alike.”
Thrasher said at least 100 people had dropped by to donate items as of Wednesday morning, and monetary donations were being used to purchase more supplies. People have also been dropping off drinks, food and even a cake for the volunteers. Thrasher said there are about 20 volunteers assisting with the donation drive, and village workers are helping out, too.
The volunteers were sorting donations of items like baby food, school uniforms, school supplies, bottled water and laundry detergent. Boxes for whole families and individuals were being prepared with items like cleaning supplies, toothbrushes and toothpaste and shampoo, and toiletries were sorted into resealable plastic bags to that each family members items could be label and kept together.
Thrasher said cleaning supplies, large trash bags, and non-perishable foods are some of the most-needed items.
“We’ve got lots of clothes, but we will take more,” she said. “I’ve also talked to friends who lost their truck. People are going to need motor oil. People with flooded vehicles are going to have to change their oil several times, and oil changes are costly.”
Thrasher said people are coming by to pick up supplies as they are needed, and others are stopping in to pick up items as they head to assist friends and family in areas hit by the flooding. Thrasher also planning a trip to a church in Denham Springs Wednesday afternoon to drop off supplies.
“It’s amazing to see what is happening — it’s very humbling,” Thrasher said. “It is showing the strength of people. A guy who has been laid off two years came by to drop off some items. He told me it was junk to him, but it might be useful for someone else. Some of the items were baby bottles, and those will surely be of use to someone.
“It’s just humbling to see how giving people have been. People who don’t have a lot are giving of themselves, and that is what God expects us to do. That’s what it says in the Bible.”
Fontenot and Thrasher caught up for a few minutes as Fonetnot looked through the clothes to find items for her great-granddaughter.
“I have heard that you should wash that arent bleach-safe in Pine-Sol,” Thrasher said. “That should take out the mold of any clothes ya’ll save.”
“Candace has been working on a rent house we own,” Fontenot said. “She’s been wanting to move back up here. She still has a home. I hope we can get it together for her.”
Turkey Creek Mayor Heather Cloud was in and of the center keeping up to date each day.
Cloud said, “When the cry for help went out, our people heard and rose to the challenge. I couldn’t be more grateful and proud of all the volunteers and donors.
“In the midst of all the heartache and devastation, compassion and love are shining through. No matter race, creed or religion, love abounds.”