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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

Chilton County Schools and several community businesses have partnered to collect and deliver needed supplies for victims of Hurricane Michael.

The project was spearheaded by Robin and Mark Gray of Peach Park.

Robin Gray said there had been a post on the Bay County EMS Facebook page about the need for warm meals.

”We felt like that was one thing we could provide through Peach Park,” Robin Gray said. “We have a van, trailers, generator, warmers, etc. That would be an easy thing for us to do. Then Mark said, ‘if we are going, we may as well take supplies.’”

Each of the Chilton County schools agreed to help collect supplies from a list of specific needs. Jefferson State Community College, Trendy Chic Boutique, 20/20 Eyecare and Central Alabama Electric Cooperative in Prattville also joined the collection efforts.

“It is important for students to be involved to see how community service projects can benefit people/areas,” Clanton Middle School Assistant Principal Laura Ward said. “We are also examining the six pillars of character, and this project touches on those things.”

The six pillars are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.

Students also read an “USA Today” article reporting on shortages in the wake of the hurricane as the Article of the Week during the week of collection.

Chilton County High School teachers Kelli Inman and Amy Easterling said students had brought in several items on the list, including adhesive bandages, shampoo, soap, toothbrushes/toothpaste, paper towels, toilet tissue, pillows, garbage bags, towels, wash cloths, cleaning supplies, detergent, paper plates, food, water and sports drinks.

“This is important for the students, because they need to be aware of what is going on in different places and learn to help others in need during a crisis,” they said.

Mark Gray secured donations for the warm meals the couple was planning on serving for Bay County victims and rescue workers.

“Brison Mote of Halsey Foods has been a huge supporter,” Robin Gray said. “With his help and help from other companies such as Wood Fruitticher, Sysco, Merchants and Central Paper, we hope to be able to provide a thousand warm BBQ plates for the people in Alford, Florida, and surrounding areas on Saturday (Oct. 20).”

The Grays also made a T-shirt to sell and raise money for tarps to donate to victims. The shirt features an outline of Chilton County with the words of Proverbs 3:27 — “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in your power to do it.”

Gray said Johnny Giles and Chris Baker helped determine where would be best place to go and serve the meal in Florida.

Supplies collected were delivered to Alford, Florida, on Oct. 20. Robin Gray posted pictures of the meals being served and the multiple trailers of donations that had been collected being distributed. The team that went served lunch to 600 people and more at dinner.