When Columbia was hit with the deadly tornado Dec. 23, 2014, Columbia High School’s friendly band rival from Lewisburg High School in northern Mississippi stepped in to help. Now Columbia’s band is returning the favor.
Band Director Leslie Fortenberry is collecting donations now to send a trailer to Lewisburg on Monday.
On Jan. 11 severe weather, including a tornado, struck DeSoto County where Lewisburg is situated, causing widespread damage including downed trees and power lines.
From 2007 until 2012 Columbia and Lewisburg would flip-flop first and second place in the state band competition. Eventually Lewisburg outgrew the 4A classification and Columbia went down to 3A.
However, that did not stop the Lewisburg band program from wanting to reach out two years later. Supplies filled its band trailer and were delivered to Columbia about a week after the 2014 tornado.
Now, in its effort to reciprocate, Columbia is collecting items that include:
• Bottled water;
• Cleaning supplies;
• Rakes;
• Paper towels;
• Gatorade;
• Blankets;
• Jugs of water;
• Individually packaged snacks;
• Work gloves;
• Toiletries;
• Flashlights;
• Batteries;
• Large trash bags.
Reuben McDowell, the band director at Columbia in 2014, said, “This community knows all too well about the loss and tragedy tornadoes bring, and we feel sure many will want to be a part of this effort to return the favor to those who came to our aid in December 2014.”
The trailer will be making the 5-hour journey to Lewisburg Monday morning. Supplies and donations can be dropped off early Sunday morning at Calvary Baptist Church or arrangements can be made by texting Fortenberry at (251) 422-4032 or McDowell at (601) 270-6998.
