LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – The heavy rainfall of the evening of Friday, June 7, rose to chest high levels within half-an-hour for residents of CHET’s Family Services Center across from La Follette Middle School.  That’s how quickly lives teetered on surviving or not and how quickly residents lost everything they have.

CHET CEO Teresa Dabney said, “I can’t say enough about EMS and others who came to our rescue.  This happened so quickly, and kudos and praise to all those who came to the aid of our residents.”  She explains that a total of 23 people were affected at the CHET center that doubled as a domestic violence shelter and transitional housing facility.

TOP PHOTO:  L-R Rotary President Zach Sheets, Rotarian Debbie Farmer and CHET CEO Teresa Dabney as Farmer presents the a check for $5,600 to Dabney.

On Tuesday at the South Campbell County Rotary Club’s weekly meeting at the La Follette United Methodist Church, the service organization made a $5,600 donation to CHET.  Those dollars will help subsidize housing for six families for several months as CHET moves forward with its recovery.

TEMA estimated the damage to CHET’s Family Services Center at $1.5 million dollars.  “We’ll meet with a structural engineer this week to see where we are,” said Dabney.

Scott Hill, CHET’s CFO, said, “This donation from Rotary is very much appreciated.  It will go a long way to help our residents with housing.”

Area Rotarians have also made donations on CHET’s behalf; $750 to date.  Members of the South Campbell County Rotary Club are also conducting a linen and towel drive.

“I’m in awe of the outpouring of support from the community in general.  Today’s donation from the Rotary Club will help these families get back on their feet,” said Dabney.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 06/26/2019-6AM)