News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Cookeville Lowe’s employees volunteered at Putnam County’s new Hope Park Tuesday working to bring the memorial one step closer to completion.
Hope Park was selected as one of the company’s “100 Hometown,” projects to receive funding. Cookeville Lowe’s Assistant Manager Chelsea White said as a part of the program, local Lowe’s employees assist to show support.
“We’re picking up trash and debris and then spreading rock to kind of help out,” White said. “A lot of the debris that is left around is here from the houses that were demolished in the tornado. So we’ve found pieces of granite county top, drawer glides and even little sippy cup lids. It’s kind of emotional when you think about it.”
The McBroom Chapel Road park will honor the lives of the five children and 14 adults who died from the 2020 March tornado. White said the project means a lot to Lowe’s as the Cookeville store has provided materials for those rebuilding.
“It’s definitely close to our hearts,” White said. “After the tornado came in, we were just flooded with customers, and as you know it is during COVID season, so it’s very hard for us to get products. So, we’re pouring our hearts out trying to reach other stores nearby that can help and resource products for them to rebuild their homes and kind of just help rebuild the community together.”
Three families, the Asantes, the Barnetts, and the Pitts, sold their land to the county for the building of the park. All three families lost their homes in the storm.
“If they need us to come back for anymore volunteer days then we definitely will,” White said. “Anymore donations, I know that they’ve given some to build the pavilion and the bathrooms and things like that. There’s going to be a playground and stuff put in as well, so we would be very happy to come back.”
The two acres of land is located at the corner of Henlsey Drive.
