View Our Coverage of the Deadly November 2016 Storms
The Ocoee Disaster Relief Fund continues to need financial help to assist victims of the Nov. 30, 2016, storms that killed two people and damaged more than 50 homes and a volunteer fire hall in Polk County, Tenn.
A Chattanooga-based canoe club recently donated $1,500 to West Polk County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, officials announced this week in a statement.
"We cannot thank the members of [the Tennessee Valley Canoe Club] enough for this generous gift," Polk County Emergency Management Agency director Richard Taylor said in the statement. "It will be put to good use to help the families impacted by the tornado."
"We are proud to make this small donation" to the fire hall and relief fund," canoe club president Ashley Teel said in the statement.
"The tornado was devastating and much more help is needed, we know," Teal said.
"TVCC exists because of the abundant natural resources Polk County offers. The people of Polk County have always been there for over the last 50 years," Teal said, noting the 400-member club's 50th anniversary is being celebrated in 2017.
Canoe club treasurer B.G. Smith hopes word of the donation will "help send the message that Polk County still needs help to support their recovery," Smith said.
The contact person for the Disaster Relief Fund is Richard Taylor, director of the Polk County Emergency Management Agency. Taylor can be reached by email at oshtaylor@yahoo.com or by phone at 423-618-7567. Checks should be written to "West Polk County Fire & Rescue" with a note, "Ocoee Disaster Fund."