BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — As communities in Tennessee begin picking up the pieces from the deadliest tornado day in the state in seven years, the City of Good Neighbors is stepping up to help its friends down south.
The faith-based group, "Eight days of Hope," is sending volunteers and equipment to Nashville, Tennessee from its satellite office in Buffalo, New York. The nonprofit is launching its rapid response team and will be on the ground helping pick up the pieces in and around the Music City through March 21st.
Since 2005, the organization has launched 29 rapid response trips like this one with the help of about 1.4 million volunteers.
"Our hearts are always full here in Buffalo, but now we get a chance to help somebody and right now, Nashville needs that," President and CEO of Eight Days of Hope, Steve Tybor, said. He continued, "Our goal is to help these families that have no where to turn."
Several trailers are packed with disaster-relief equipment bound for Tennessee from the organization's Northeast satellite offices here in Buffalo.
"What we love about Buffalo is people are always looking to make a difference. Every one loves to give here in Buffalo...we are the best kept secret and Nashville is about to find out a lot about Buffalo," Tybor said.
Then in six to 12 months, Eight Days of Hope will go back to rebuild homes for free in these same communities.
"We'll have maybe 500 volunteers out there in the next 48 hours wearing this shirt," Tybor said.
If you are interested in learning or helping out with Eight Days of Hope, you can read more here.
Buffalo-based apparel company, 26 Shirts, has released a new t-shirt that will benefit a Nashville family that lost their house and their beloved dog, Benjamin. A family member of 26 Shirts works with the Garlinghouse family. Proceeds from this t-shirt sale will go towards this young family rebuild.
"You got friends here in Buffalo. We'll root for our football team against your football team, our hockey team against your hockey team every single time, but when stuff hits the fan, we're there to help," 26 Shirts founder, Del Reid, said.
The special edition "Believe in Nashville" shirt is available until Sunday and $8 from every shirt will go to Peter and Jenni Garlinghouse.
