179 Families Get Help as Volunteers Answer Storm Call

When winter storms tore through Middle Tennessee in late January, they left more than broken branches. They left elderly neighbors staring at fallen trees they couldn't move and families without the resources to clear their own driveways.

Now, nearly 200 families in Wilson County are getting the help they need, and they can thank their neighbors for stepping up.

Volunteer Network, a nonprofit born from the tornadoes that hit the area in 2020, has heard from 179 families in Wilson County alone who need storm cleanup assistance. The damage wasn't flashy, just the kind of quiet disaster that makes daily life impossible: downed trees blocking roads, heavy limbs threatening homes, and debris piling up faster than vulnerable residents could handle.

Regina Girten and Jamie Tyner from Volunteer Network knew what to do. This Sunday, they're hosting a community-wide service day called "Love in Action" to match volunteers with families who need hands and hearts.

The families reaching out are mostly elderly residents who can't do heavy lifting and people without the money or equipment for cleanup. Some need tree limbs cut and hauled away. Others need help clearing debris that's blocking public roadways. Every task matters because every family deserves to feel safe at home again.

The Ripple Effect

The same storm hit Davidson County even harder, with more than 700 families requesting help. But Wilson County's response shows something powerful: when disaster strikes, Tennesseans remember why they're called the Volunteer State.

The timing feels right too. Volunteer Network scheduled the event for the day after Valentine's Day, turning hearts and flowers into something more tangible. "We are asking our community to come out and love on our neighbors," Tyner said. It's proof that caring about your community means more than warm feelings.

Volunteers can sign up for shifts between 12:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. this Sunday. No special skills required, just a willingness to show up when neighbors need you most.

Because that's what community looks like: not just checking in when disaster hits, but rolling up your sleeves weeks later when the cameras are gone and the work still needs doing.