Longview 4-H Club gathers cases of water to take to Jackson

Ever since the unprecedented ice storm over a month ago, Jackson is still feeling the effects of the damage from the inclement conditions.

One of the major issues that arose from the icy week was when the capital city’s water supply froze and burst, sending residents into a water crisis.

Although repairs are underway for dozens of broken water mains, 161,000 residents are still under a boil-water advisory as testing revealed the water’s current state to contain high levels of turbidity which increases the chance that it may contain disease-causing organisms.

Ever since then, residents in the city of Jackson have been receiving water donations from volunteers, and they are in store for a big donation.

The Longview Disciples 4-H Club of the Mississippi State University Extension Service has been collecting cases of water to bring down to Jackson on Friday for residents in need.

Club leader Angela Buress-stewart said the goal was to collect 500 cases to donate, but as of Tuesday, they have collected 332 with water still coming in and to pick up.

“It is a great thing to get all of this water to give to those in need down in Jackson, because I can remember the Michigan event and what happened there. Being in Mississippi, we wouldn’t want to see any other our fellow Mississippians go with water to drink or cook with,” said Buress-stewart. “What

we’re trying to do is to help alleviate the strain on a lot of the residents, financially, by delivering this water to them.”

Buress-stewart said she contacted local churches around the area asking for donations to bring to Jackson and she found a lot of response.

The Longview 4-H Club has received donations from churches such as First Baptist Church of Longview, Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church, New Zion United Methodist Church, Peter’s Rock Temple Church of God in Christ, Mt. Peiler Missionary Baptist Church, the Pi Iota Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Walmart has also donated two pallets of water cases to the club.

“All of the churches who pitched in and donated water have been such a big help for us, and we certainly do appreciate their help,” Buress-stewart said.

Buress-stewart said that donations are even coming in from other states.

“My sister, my cousins, people from all over who know me and know some of the work that we’ve been doing are all pitching,” Buress-stewart said.

Buress-stewart said her club has also been collecting canned goods along with the water for Jackson residents.

The club will be making its drop-off points at Madonna Manor Apartments and Winfield High School in Jackson on Friday.