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300 refugees headed here
volunteers stepping up
By SAM HATCHER
Lebanon may receive as many as 300 persons this week who have been separated from their homes as a result of Hurricane Katrina.
According to Mayor Don Fox, the community is bracing and preparing for a significant number of people to be brought here after being evacuated from flood stricken areas in
Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana.
He said a number of local individuals and businesses have stepped forward to offer their assistance and to provide aid to help make ready for the expected arrivals.
Fox singled out Curt Gibbs, owner of the former Lebanon Woolen Mills, saying that Gibbs has “generously
volunteered to make available” some 12,000 square feet in what was once Lebanon’s mainstay industry as place for
shelter for those who have been forced to leave their homes.
He said local officials and community volunteers are working together to formulate plans to accommodate the evacuees who may be moving here in the coming days.
“We met Monday and worked on a number of ideas and plans to deal with the issue,” Fox said.
Besides Fox, the session Monday included Wilson Emergency Management Director Jerry McFarland, Lebanon/Wilson County Chamber of Commerce President Sue Vanatta,
Lebanon City Councilor Annette Stafford, Wayne Leeper of Highland Heights Church of Christ and Donna Bryan of St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church.
According to Fox, if the Woolen Mills is selected to house the evacuees, arrangements will likely be made to transfer them to and from the Jimmy Floyd Family Recreation Center
and perhaps other public venues including nearby schools for showering and personal hygiene.
Members of First Baptist Church in Lebanon were getting the gymnasium in the Christian Life Center ready in anticipation of receiving evacuees later this week.
Several years ago the church was designated by emergency officials as a regional emergency shelter. The area where the people will be staying is air-conditioned and has
separate locker rooms/shower facilities for men and women.
FBC also has a commercial kitchen in the Fellowship Hall and can seat more than 100 people.
Vanatta termed the outpouring of public support as “unbelievable.”
She said 75 to 100 individuals, churches, businesses and others had telephoned to offer assistance.
“I am confident we have the housing available to accommodate up to 500 people, if we need to,” Vanatta said.
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