Click to expand the video player.
SAC (LTV) – Cots are not items usually found in the Student Activities Center. But when the Red Cross calls, Lipscomb responds.
The heavy rain and thunderstorms last night led to severe flooding across Middle Tennesee, and the Red Cross immediately responded with several shelters, one right here on campus.
The SAC is set up with sleeping areas for families, single males, single females and the elderly. Volunteers brought in snacks and drinks with the intention of staying all night.
Lipscomb University is the only shelter set up in Davidson County, and the SAC is equipped for several hundred people.
Tim Temple, a Red Cross Volunteer from Nashville, was headed out of town but quickly changed his plans.
“They called all of us and said ‘Be ready,'” he said.
The Red Cross works with churches, recreation centers and schools to set up shelters. He said that Lipscomb and the Red Cross had an agreement ahead of time, so the university was on the emergency shelter list.
Students showed up to help the Red Cross set up an emergency shelter for flood victims.
Hurricane Gustav two years ago was Lipscomb’s first experience with the Red Cross. Lipscomb housed people for a week in the SAC and McQuiddy. So faculty, staff and students know the drill for working in an emergency.
“It really is nice that people help us,” Temple said.
The Red Cross contacted Lipscomb around 5:30 p.m., and within the hour volunteers were on site setting up the SAC and McQuiddy.
Walt Leaver, a coordinator for the event, immediately contacted Mike Smith to get students involved.
“It’s really pretty exciting, first of all, to see the way the Lipscomb people have responded and also to see the way people are being helped,” Leaver said.
Kenneth Coca, a sophomore biochemistry major, heard an announcement requesting volunteers from his dorm room in Sewell Hall.
“I had to choose between studying and this,” he said.
Faculty, staff and student volunteers unloaded the Red Cross truck full of supplies, food and cots to last through the night. They set up the SAC for victims who may need a place to stay.
Volunteers unloaded a truck full of supplies into the SAC.
Student volunteers were asked to sign up for hours to work during the night, providing food and aid to families and others affected by the storms.
The Red Cross is expected to keep the emergency shelter set up through tomorrow.
Photo Credit: Whitney Jarreld