The Hillsborough sheriff and other local groups will host a one-stop drop-off this morning at USF for hurricane relief supplies.

TAMPA – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is teaming up this morning (Oct. 22) with several local partners to host a one-stop hurricane donation event at the University of South Florida.

From 5:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., residents can stop by the Yuengling Center (Sundome), 4202 E Fowler Ave., to drop off donations ranging from non-perishable foods, water, baby items, personal hygiene items, towels, trash bags, tarps, rope and other hurricane relief supplies.

Today’s event comes on the heels of the sheriff’s “Operation Pay It Forward” a weeklong donation drive at the department’s five district offices. During Operation Pay It Forward, residents filled an 18-wheeler with  donations that, on Saturday (Oct. 20), deputies drove to Panama City for distribution to Hurricane Michael victims. (For related stories, click here and here.)

Riding along with those supplies were 16 law enforcement and detention deputies who were to relieve the group of Hillsborough County deputies already working in the Panhandle as part of the agency’s special incident response team.

“We couldn’t be more proud of the men and women headed up to Panama City today,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said Saturday. “Talk about individuals who are going to be so selfless to go work in some of the worst conditions, go sleep and try to get some rest in some of the worst conditions, all for the betterment of someone else is humbling.

“They’ll help disperse some of these essential basic needs, basic commodities to people, and at the same time, they’re helping people put on roofs, they’re helping people rip carpet out, they’re doing anything they can just to lend a helping hand.”

Other Tampa area groups and businesses have joined to help make today’s donation event a success.

JJ Taylor Distributing has donated a 36-foot truck to fill with donations. The company will drive the donations up to the Panhandle following the collection event, delivering them to deputies with SIRT who are working closely with residents in need. Beasley Media Group, USF, the USF Police Department and ABC Action News are also partnering for the event..

“We are blown away by the generosity and kindness we’ve witnessed over the last week,” Chronister said. “Neighbors helped fill all five of our district offices with donations, and they want to keep giving! As your
Hillsborough County Sheriff, I want to make sure our office is helping you get those supplies up to the Panhandle any way we can. Our deputies, who are working with hurricane victims, look forward to putting a smile on their faces after so much tragedy when they pass out all of your donations to those in need.”

For a video showing Saturday’s departure of supplies for the Panhandle, go to youtube.com.

Photos are screen captures from video. Video courtesy of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

Hillsborough Sheriff | Chad Chronister | Hurricane Michael | Hurricane Relief | Tampabay News

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