The Town Crier: Local News: Manila residents offer a helping hand (02/13/08)

A relief effort for the tornado victims is underway in Manila with a group of volunteers who will be collecting and delivering items. Pictured are, from left: Aaron and Teresa Fleeman, Jackie Hill, Gary Hill, and Manila Mayor Clifford Veach.
(Town Crier photo/Revis Blaylock)

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A group of Manila residents has joined in the relief effort to help neighbors in Sharp, Izard, and Stone Counties, who suffered losses due to last week's tornadoes.

Gary Hill, Teresa Fleeman and Jackie Hill will be collecting items to deliver to the families in the tornado damaged areas.

"People helped us when we suffered damages from a tornado in 1998," Fleeman said. "A lot of people in the area want to donate items and we have the trucks and trailers to deliver."

Gary Hill was serving on the Manila City Council in 1998 and remembers the needs.

Donations will be accepted all day on Friday, Feb. 15, and until noon on Saturday, Feb. 16, at the former PTS building, 213 North Dewey Street, Manila.

Items needed include blankets, water, baby products (especially baby wipes), tarps, non-perishable foods, soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, tooth paste, sanitary pads, tampons, deodorant, toilet paper, chain saw oil or other useful items.

Fleeman said they cannot accommodate furniture items.

Manila Mayor Clifford Veach commended the group for getting the project started.

"It is always good to help when we can," Veach said.