North Florida Rural collecting storm relief donations

This photo above shows the newly installed banner at the Lake City Fire Department -Photo: Submitted

Originally parked in the vacant lot next to the fire department, because of an incident, CDT and organizers decided to park the trailer for donations in a bay at the Lake City Fire Department for safety reasons. -SVT Photo by Gabrielle Stevenson

By Tami Stevenson

In an effort to send much needed aid to victims of Hurricane Ian in south Florida, a project coordinators are calling “North Florida Rural” has come together in Lake City

to collect various items for the storm victims. Lake City residents and people from the surrounding cities and counties now have one drop-off site where they can send aid for storm victims. Lake City is the most logical place, being centrally located.

A 53 foot semi-trailer is parked at the Lake City Fire Department, located at 225 NW Main Blvd. Originally they were going to park it in the vacant lot across from the police and fire departments, at the intersection of NW Main Blvd and Hwy 90 East, near Popeye’s, but because of an incident, according to coordinators, they decided to move the trailer in a bay at the fire department. Donations will be accepted through October 21, 2022.

Kimi Roberts with the Columbia County Board of County Commissioners office, along with Terri Phillips with the City of Lake City are coordinating the effort.

They will hang a banner over the bay as soon as possible for folks to find it easily.

Although they are hoping to have garnered enough volunteers for the project, according to Roberts, if no one is at the semi-trailer when anyone comes to bring donations, or if it is after hours, Lake City Police Chief Gerald Butler has graciously volunteered some space at the police department to receive donations, which is located right next door.

“We just want to let folks in the south end of the state know that this North Florida rural area is supporting you, we’re behind you. We’re helping you and we’re praying for you,” said Roberts.
The semi-trailer was donated by Clint Dicks Trucking (CDT) for the project. They will hook up and haul the supplies to south Florida on October 24, with a lift truck as well to unload so they will be self-sufficient.

As of this interview, Roberts said they have two locations to choose from and will deliver to whichever location is the most urgent and in crisis at that time.

They are looking for volunteers to help receive or load items at the collection site. Anyone wishing to become a volunteer for the project or for more information can call Kimi Roberts at 386-758-1390 or 386-397-0834 or Terri Phillips at 386-758-5427.

Roberts also said many people with pets have been sharing what food they have with their pets, so pet food is definitely among the items listed below.

Here is a list of the requested items:
Canned foods with flip top
Baby wipes & baby diapers
Baby formula
Bug spray & sunscreen
Toilet paper
Paper towels
Trash bags
Blankets
Sleeping bags
Cleaning supplies
Personal hygiene items
Deodorant
Pet food, dog & cat
Hand sanitizer
Clorox wipes
First aid kits
Bottled and gallon jugs of water
Children’s toys
Flashlights & batteries
Disposable plates, cups, forks & spoons