Taylor organizes toy, coat drive for Tennessee victims
Published 2:14 am Thursday, December 8, 2016
Vesta Taylor had recently returned from a trip to the mountains when wildfires caused resulted in 14 deaths in the Gatlnburg area and damaged more than 1,700 structures.
“I can’t get the mountains off my mind,” she said.
She has decided to take action, and is organizing a toy and coat drive for “Santa-aged children” in the area.
She is accepting new toys and coats at her business, Vesta Taylor Interiors at the Grand Salon. The Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce and Andalusia Garden Center also are accepting items.
She also has collection points at First Reality of Greenville and Clayton Homes on the Greenville bypass.
The deadline is Dec. 19, and she plans to deliver the items on Dec. 20.
“We hope to fill a cattle trailer,” she said.
Several years ago, Taylor formed Seasons for Christ, which does a project each season. The organization operates primarily with funds raised from a cookbook, she said. She also has done other events to raise money for seasonal causes.
“This was a great cause for the winter,” she said.
On Wednesday, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation officials announced they had two juveniles in custody in connection with the fires.
The teens have been charged with aggravated arson, and law enforcement officials say more charges could be pending. However, no details of the investigation were released.