Just like most everyone that loves Gatlinburg we are horrified at the wildfires that have struck the Gatlinburg area. While the cause of these fires is still under investigation, we would like to remind everyone that the fires did strike the city we all love and some of our favorite landmarks are gone. With that being said we are going to break from our normal reviews and ask that everyone pray for the recovery of this beautiful city and the residents.
Yes, people are going to have their vacations interrupted, which is bad for our income since we are a travel website, but at the same time that is something we can have replaced. The losses for some of the people who lived in the region include their homes, land, everything they owned, and in at least 3 cases their lives. This is a tragedy that we all have to cope with as we are making our travel plans. What is even worse is some of the hotels that a lot of us have grown up traveling to have been damaged.
As of this time we do not have a list of what has been destroyed or damaged, but we do know that WBIR, the news channel for the Knoxville region has a list that they are updating a lot more regularly than what I can. If you are looking for ways to help the residents who are needing to have help can be done at the following locations and ways.
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The Gatlinburg Relief Fund has been established at SmartBank. Donations can be dropped off at any location or mailed to:
Gatlinburg Relief Fund
SmartBank
P.O. Box 1910
Pigeon Forge, TN 37868
Call 865-453-2650 for more information.
The American Red Cross is accepting donations for evacuees and first responders to the Sevier County fire.
The organization is accepting donations at the Pigeon Forge Fire Hall Station 1 at 3229 Rena Street in Pigeon Forge.
The Red Cross is not looking for untrained volunteers, but is accepting monetary donations. People can make a $10 donation by texting “REDCROSS” to 90999.” Source is WBIR.
This is a time of tragedy and like all tragedies that hit we tend to come together quite a bit and help out as much as we can. This is not a post regarding politics or asking you to book your room. Instead, in this case we are asking that you please do anything that you can to help Gatlinburg and the victims. I personally have several friends that have lost everything, one of whom was a firefighter who was out fighting the fires while his own house burned to the ground. If you cannot donate anything then we ask that you please keep the families and those brave firefighters who are out fighting this fire in your prayers. Thank you and God Bless.
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