Help is on the way

Local Ace Hardware reaching out to tornado victims

Alachua Ace Hardware Manager Christy Miller has stepped up and is coordinating an effort to help victims of last week's devestating tornadoes.  Stores brought on board through her efforts include Ace Hardware stores in Alachua, Newberry, Williston, Archer, Trenton, High Springs and the store in Gainesville's Hunters Crossing.

Only days after hundreds of tornadoes ripped across six southeastern states, one local business is already reaching out to help victims of the devastating twisters.  Alachua Ace Hardware Manager Christy Miller is already gaining momentum in her quest to lend a helping hand to the communities ravaged by tornados last Wednesday.

The idea started Monday when Miller wondered if the store’s weekly shipments, which originate in Alabama, would be affected by the deadly weather.  It turns out the distribution center wasn’t in a path of destruction, but that concern prompted Miller to launch a donation campaign at the Ace Hardware store on Main Street in Alachua.

Within hours of putting together a list of items needed by people affected by the storms, Miller started to see the fruits of her labor pay off.  She received a donation of four tarps, given by a patron of her store.  She distributed the list to area businesses and has been receiving a variety of donations ever since.

Donations will be delivered from the local Ace Hardware to people in need by way of the same distribution truck that bring products to the store each week.  Miller said the Ace Hardware corporate office has confirmed that it is on board with its drivers picking up the donations and taking them back to Alabama where they will be distributed via local organizations.

Not only are donations being accepted at the Alachua Ace Hardware, but Miller has created a network of drop points.  By Wednesday afternoon, essential items were being brought in by the boxful, including eight tubs from a recently-opened Ace Hardware at Hunters Crossing in Gainesville.

Miller has even enlisted the help of some lifelong friends who have been picking up the donations from Ace stores across the area and bringing them back to the Alachua collection store.  Among the Ace Hardware’s accepting the donations are those in Alachua, Newberry, Williston, Archer, Trenton and the store at Hunters Crossing.  Miller even expanded the network Wednesday when she received confirmation that the Ace Hardware of High Springs would also participate in the drive.

Miller is careful to note that cash is not being sought, but if anyone is interested in assisting but doesn’t have any goods to donate, they may purchase something at a participating Ace Hardware location and receive a 25 percent discount on the donated items.

The list of items Miller is asking for range from diapers and clothes to hand tools and pet food.  She said clothes for all sizes and ages are needed as well as day-to-day seemingly trivial items such as blankets, pillows, dish soap, tents and coolers.