Homeless Stand Down Needs Your Support

Martha sorting items at the SEACH Homeless Stand Down in May.

Every time there is a need, our community responds. That's a big reason why I tell people all around the world that Martha and I live in the greatest city in the world. Your hearts are to help those who are hurting.

The response to the Hurricane Michael disaster from Dothan and the entire Wiregrass has been incredible. Everywhere you look churches, businesses, organizations, and individuals are collecting needed items to help those suffering in Florida, Georgia, and right here in our home county of Houston County.

Teams of people are showing up in heavy hit areas with chainsaws and all of the necessary equipment to help cleanup the devastation left by Hurricane Michael. I'm not surprised, though. I knew our people would respond in these ways.

While you continue to help those in the disaster areas, please remember those who have come to Dothan seeking help. We have already seen an influx of new homeless people in Dothan. They weren't homeless prior to Michael, but after the storm leveled their homes, places of employment, schools ... pretty much their entire cities and towns ... they have nowhere to go.

Many have run out of money for hotel rooms. The situation is not good, and we are trying to help the best we can. It's not just us, though. We could never do it by ourselves. The ministries and organizations that make up the Southeast Alabama Coalition for the Homeless (SEACH) are all working non-stop to help.

We are also helping the homeless who were already here in Dothan when the hurricane hit. Michael shredded their tents and blew them in trees and who knows where. The needs have increased, and we need our community's help.

The SEACH Homeless Stand Down is coming up on Saturday, Nov. 3. This is an opportunity to connect with the homeless and provide items they need. With the new increase of storm victims to the homeless population, we need even more of you to help us meet all of the needs. Please donate items and/or volunteer for the homeless stand down.

Here is the list of needs:
- No clothing except coats, sweaters and jeans only for men, women and children. There are many ministries, like Love In Action, who provides clothing for people every week.
- Hygiene needs: combs, hair brushes, soap, shampoo, razors, men & women deodorant, toilet tissue, hand sanitizer, wet-wipes, tooth brushes and tooth paste, lotion, and women's hygiene items.
- Bedding/Sleeping Needs: tents, flat sheets, sleeping bags, air mattresses, or cots
- Food: non-perishable food items, including pop-top easy-to-open cans, and cases of bottled water
- Other Needs: flashlights, batteries, wallets, purses, camping chairs, Coleman stoves, personal camping sized propane bottles, belts, bikes, bug spray and backpacks.

Donations can be dropped off at the Wiregrass 2-1-1 office, located at 545 W. Main St., Suite 313, Monday-Friday, until Nov. 2, between the hours of 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., and 7-10 a.m. on Nov. 3.

Volunteers are needed from 7-8:30 a.m. on Nov. 3, to help sort and pack the food and supplies for the homeless. Volunteers are also needed from 8:30-10 a.m. to deliver the food and supplies to the homeless. If you would like to volunteer on Nov. 3, go to the Covan trailer in the back parking lot at Wiregrass 2-1-1.

For additional information, call 2-1-1.

Volunteers from throughout the Wiregrass sorting items during the SEACH Homeless
Stand Down in May.