The LWC Band is Holding an Emergency Water Drive for an Eastern Tennessee community devastated by the remnants of Hurricane Helene

In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, the Lindsey Wilson College Blue Raider Band is organizing a water drive to help the community of Newport, Tennessee. 

“The flooding in Newport is incomprehensible,” said Blue Raider Band Director Anthony Baird. “Cocke County is split between two rivers and the rivers have come together putting the entire area underwater.”

Clean and drinkable water is the greatest need for the community. Water donations can be dropped off at the LWC Blue Raider Band building, 391 Williams Street. Bottled water, gallon jugs and potable water donations will be received from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m., Thursday and Friday and very early in the morning on Saturday. 

“It was important to me to get the word out quickly,” Baird says. “So I reached out to LWC’s Student Government President Zachariah Lawson to help me reach more of our students.” 

“We know firsthand the generosity of the Lindsey Wilson and Columbia-Adair communities,” said Lawson. “We were happy to help in any way possible.”   

Box Truck Needed

Baird is also in need of a box truck or a rental donation to make the three-and-a-half-hour drive to Newport. 

“I’ll be calling around today looking for a truck that can be donated to transport the water donations on Saturday.”  

The Newport community is especially dear to Baird who grew up in eastern Tennessee. He spent several years living in Newport, Tennessee and was the coordinator of instrumental music education and head band director at Cocke County High School.

For more information about the water drive or if you have a box truck available, please call LWC Band Director Anthony Baird at 270-384-7337.