Volunteers Help Fill Sandbags

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By Jennifer [email protected]

Local volunteers spent Thursday rolling up their sleeves filling sandbags to prevent flooding that began Tuesday morning in Kosciusko County.

Volunteers included Embarq and Dalton employees as well as Warsaw Community High School and Grace College students. Volunteers from Serenity House and county residents also participated in the efforts.

The volunteers filled sandbags at two Embarq Warsaw locations, 1401 W. Center St., and 2000 W. Winona Ave.

There were a total of 3,300 sandbags and 136 tons of sand filled by volunteers Wednesday and Thursday at the two Embarq locations, according to Emergency Management Director Ed Rock.

"A lot of people who are being affected by the flooding live around lakes and are not physically able to bag sand so the volunteers are a big help," Rock said.

The sand was purchased by Embarq, Warsaw Street Department and Emergency Management Agency, Rock said.

Ann Sweet, Embarq senior sales consultant, said Embarq was happy to contribute financially and physically toward the sandbagging effort.

"It is no surprise our employees were more than willing to assist with filling sandbags," Sweet said.

Sweet said she has assisted with floods with the American Red Cross, and floods are considered long-term disasters if they are not controlled because water travels and floods other sites.

Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins commended volunteers for their efforts.

"Volunteers helping fill sandbags in a time of need shows the community spirit our county has," Wiggins said.

Wiggins said in his 10 years as mayor, he has not seen flooding of this magnitude in Kosciusko County.

Tony Middleton, a Dalton employee, filled sand into a bag Thursday at Embarq on West Center Street.

Middleton said the front yard of his Silver Lake home was flooded.

"It is rewarding to help fill sandbags for other people because I know the problems the flooding is causing," Middleton said.

Garrick Haskin, an Embarq employee, said he also was glad to fill sandbags.

"It feels good to know that we are making a difference and helping others out," Haskin said.

Residents who needed the sandbags picked them up at the Embarq locations Wednesday and Thursday.

Trucks also distributed the sandbags to locations highly effected by the floods such as Country Club and Sunset drives in Warsaw.

Rock said the flooding will be assessed and the sandbagging efforts will continue.

Sand and sandbags will be available this weekend for people who need it at the two Embarq locations.[[In-content Ad]]

Local volunteers spent Thursday rolling up their sleeves filling sandbags to prevent flooding that began Tuesday morning in Kosciusko County.

Volunteers included Embarq and Dalton employees as well as Warsaw Community High School and Grace College students. Volunteers from Serenity House and county residents also participated in the efforts.

The volunteers filled sandbags at two Embarq Warsaw locations, 1401 W. Center St., and 2000 W. Winona Ave.

There were a total of 3,300 sandbags and 136 tons of sand filled by volunteers Wednesday and Thursday at the two Embarq locations, according to Emergency Management Director Ed Rock.

"A lot of people who are being affected by the flooding live around lakes and are not physically able to bag sand so the volunteers are a big help," Rock said.

The sand was purchased by Embarq, Warsaw Street Department and Emergency Management Agency, Rock said.

Ann Sweet, Embarq senior sales consultant, said Embarq was happy to contribute financially and physically toward the sandbagging effort.

"It is no surprise our employees were more than willing to assist with filling sandbags," Sweet said.

Sweet said she has assisted with floods with the American Red Cross, and floods are considered long-term disasters if they are not controlled because water travels and floods other sites.

Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins commended volunteers for their efforts.

"Volunteers helping fill sandbags in a time of need shows the community spirit our county has," Wiggins said.

Wiggins said in his 10 years as mayor, he has not seen flooding of this magnitude in Kosciusko County.

Tony Middleton, a Dalton employee, filled sand into a bag Thursday at Embarq on West Center Street.

Middleton said the front yard of his Silver Lake home was flooded.

"It is rewarding to help fill sandbags for other people because I know the problems the flooding is causing," Middleton said.

Garrick Haskin, an Embarq employee, said he also was glad to fill sandbags.

"It feels good to know that we are making a difference and helping others out," Haskin said.

Residents who needed the sandbags picked them up at the Embarq locations Wednesday and Thursday.

Trucks also distributed the sandbags to locations highly effected by the floods such as Country Club and Sunset drives in Warsaw.

Rock said the flooding will be assessed and the sandbagging efforts will continue.

Sand and sandbags will be available this weekend for people who need it at the two Embarq locations.[[In-content Ad]]
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