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Local groups step up to help people affected by Hurricane Dorian

Posted at 6:10 PM, Sep 02, 2019
and last updated 2019-09-02 21:54:51-04

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — With Hurricane Dorian moving dangerously close to the East Coast on Monday, teams of volunteers from the Kansas City area packed supplies and trailers before heading out to help those affected by the deadly storm.

While many around town spent Labor Day by a pool or cooking out, 81-year-old Leighton Clemons helped the Southern Baptist Convention disaster relief team load up its trailer.

“It takes a lot of equipment to rebuild and clean out a home,” he said. “What we’re doing is trying to clean out for them to get ready to rebuild.”

Clemons has been visiting areas hit by natural disasters — flooding, wildfires or tornadoes — for around 20 years with his wife.

He plans to hit the road Tuesday for Tennessee to be in place to help the cities and towns that feel Dorian's wrath.

“We’ve got everything it takes to set up a command center and help the people get back into some state of normal life again,” he said. “We go in and help them. It gives them a sense of hope that they can survive.”

Clemons said around 20 volunteers will make the trek east. They will be assigned to units for things such as providing child care, making or serving food, cutting trees and other disaster relief efforts.

[Here's how you can help those affected by Hurricane Dorian]

“We’re going to be close and be ready,” he said. “Wherever it goes, we’re going to be there.”

Hurricane Dorian destroyed parts of the Bahamas over the weekend before moving toward Florida.

With the storm expected to turn north and travel further along the coast, an advance team with Lenexa-based Heart to Heart International waited in Atlanta. Plans for now have the group moving toward Orlando Tuesday to help treat anyone needing assistance.

“We’ll likely see a lot of lacerations, people that have stepped on nails,” fleet manager Mark Gleeson said. “Toward the end of the week, we’ll be dealing with people who have lost blood pressure medicine or lost their insulin because they’ve lost power.”

Gleeson said he was glad to offer some relief to families impacted by Hurricane Dorian.

“It’s just a measure of assurance,” he said. “They can bring even their most minor injuries or illnesses and we’ll treat them.”

Clemons also looked forward to offering a helping hand.

“God told us to love your neighbor,” he said. “That’s what we’re doing. Help your neighbor.”