Items to help the victims of the devastating flooding in Deweyville and Orange County are beginning to pile in to the United Board of Missions.

Cleaning supplies, trash bags, personal hygiene items for men and women, diapers, baby wipes, car seats and portable cribs are currently being collected at UBM, 6650 Ninth Ave.

“Everyone who has come up here is saying they are glad someone is doing something to help,” Mae Terro, executive director of the UBM, said.

Terro has been in contact with law enforcement as well as an official with Deweyville Independent School District.

“Right now we’re broke, he (Deweyville ISD official) said. There’s nothing in the city that’s not under water.”

Terro believes people in the local community remember all too well what it’s like to go through a disaster as well as the help they received from people outside the area.

“The community has been very good and supportive of this,” she said. “I guess we remember the support we had after the hurricanes.”

Donations will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Monday. Items will be delivered to the affected area on Tuesday.

“That’s what we’re here for, those in need,” she said. “And they are our neighbors. We’re doing God’s work.”

UBM is a collation of Mid and South Jefferson County churches and volunteers providing support programs to assist the residents of Mid and South Jefferson County, according to the UBM website. Persons wishing to volunteer or to donate who need more information can call UBM at 962-5661, and press zero for the receptionist.

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