WRCBtv.com | Chattanooga News, Weather & SportsChattanoogans Helping Strangers Thousands of Miles Away

Chattanoogans Helping Strangers Thousands of Miles Away

CHATTANOOGA (WRCB)- What was once an empty warehouse in Downtown Chattanooga is now a place filled with thousands of supplies that will soon be headed to Orphanage Emmauel in Honduras. The recipients are 400 children who live on 1,000 acres.

"We know we are making a difference in the lives of children who wouldn't have education, room and board. It's true American foreign aid," said volunteer Don Reynolds.

That aid started heading that way in 1996 when Reynolds and church members from Red Bank to Soddy-Daisy to Flinstone, Ga began collecting everything from toilet paper to farm tractors to send overseas.

Volunteers agree it's a blessing to be part of their lives, and that blessing turned into a son for Reynolds and his wife, Shirley, when they met Carleetos at the orphanage.

"He was handicapped, had epilepsy. Finally we brought him here for medical treatment and finally we adopted him as our son," said Reynolds.

Hundreds of people from plumbers to doctors go this orphanage in February each year from our area. They see first hand the needs that these children have, and that need is felt every day.

From Chattanooga the supplies go to Gulf Port and then on a ship to Honduras. It all takes about 16 days.

Orphanage Emmanuel can use clothing, food, hygiene supplies and diapers. All donations can be dropped off at Dr. Don Reynold's dentist office at 4611 Hixson Pike. For information call 877-1368.