An Emporia teacher says she has learned that there can be too much of a good thing. For victims of this month’s tornado in Greensburg, that will be a plus; for volunteers collecting more goods and foods to take to the area, it can cause delays or cancellations in collections.
Jana Phillips, student support specialist at Lowther North Intermediate School, announced Monday that because overwhelming responses have filled storage spaces almost to capacity in the Greensburg area, “Top the Trailer” stop in Emporia on Friday has been canceled. A second stop on May 24 remains on the schedule.
“In talking with others, I was expecting lots of additional support, so it does sadden me,” Phillips said in an e-mail on Monday, “but knowing they are getting their needs met is an absolute great thing.”
The project will continue to collect items until May 24, and Phillips will coordinate pick-up times at all collection sites. If storage remains at capacity at that time, the trailer will be stored until Phillips receives the go-ahead to make the delivery.
Items requested at this time include money, batteries, toys, baby wipes and cleaning supplies. Checks need to be made payable to Haviland State Bank and noted for “Greensburg.”
“After the dust has settled, they may again ask for support and I honestly feel that if that happens, Emporia will be ready to help again,” Phillips said.
People who want to lend a hand in Greensburg can attend natural disasters training through the Salvation Army, Phillips said, by calling Richard Scott, (913) 471-4337. Training would help in getting authorization to be on-site in Greensburg or at future disaster areas.
More information about the local project may be had by calling Phillips, 341-2350, or e-mailing her at jphillip@usd253.org.