BY KEN LITTLE
STAFF WRITER
AIDNET of Greene County is moving into a new phase as more survivors of the April 2011 tornadoes get the help they need.
That doesn't mean there still isn't work to be done in 2012, organization officials said Tuesday during their weekly meeting at the First Baptist Church in Greeneville.
Tuesday was the final day that AIDNET accepted applications for assistance.
Several people applied for aid in the days leading up to the Jan. 31 deadline, but the vast majority of those needing help have already been identified, said Wayne Bettis, AIDNET public relations coordinator.
"As of today, we are going to quit assessing applications and we are going to be finishing what we started," Bettis said. "It's not the final stage, but it's probably going to get a little easier for us."
AIDNET has dealt with and closed 67 cases.
Another 31 cases remain open, not including those who applied for assistance right at the deadline, AIDNET Secretary Wendy Peay said.
None of the work could have been done without the help of volunteers and financial donations.
Both volunteer help and contributions are still in demand, said Jeff Idell, AIDNET vice president.
"We've finished up a lot of projects lately, and a lot of smaller projects. We do have larger projects coming up that need some attention, and we're looking at how we're going to get some of these projects done," Idell said.
AIDNET couldn't accomplish anything without assistance from the community, he emphasized.
"We're past the phase of inspecting projects. We know the needs out there now," Idell said. "It's now a matter of coordinating the efforts, the labor, to finish these projects."
CHURCH GROUPS TO HELP
An influx of help will be coming to Greene County in the coming months to help complete a number of projects.
Church groups and other volunteers from Johnson City, North Carolina, Michigan, West Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Nebraska and Kentucky will be arriving to work here.
"We need churches to step up to help feed these folks and assist with housing," Idell said.
Since AIDNET reactivated in June to respond to the many needs of survivors following the April 27-28 tornadoes, "It's really phenomenal, the progress that has been made at this point," Idell said.
"It's really been a group effort, civic and religious organizations coming together. It's been way beyond AIDNET," he said.
"We're just grateful and thankful for the community to step up. We're starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel at this point and hopefully by mid-summer, we will be able to see closure to most cases," Idell said.
The one-year anniversary of the tornadoes is fast approaching, AIDNET President Jim Ramey said.
"April 27 brings back a lot of memories," Ramey said. "Time goes by so fast, it will soon be upon us."
In addition to needing volunteers, help coordinating visits from outside groups, and cash donations to keep the work going, AIDNET has other specific needs.
Inside house fixtures such as bathroom and kitchen cabinets, vanities and lighting are in particular demand, Peay said.
The number to call to assist AIDNET through donations or volunteer work is (423) 620-3311.
