In the face of catastrophic flooding from Hurricane Helene in Mountain City, Tennessee, actresses Alexa PenaVega and Taylor Dooley stepped out of the Hollywood spotlight to serve up meals and support through The Salvation Army. Known for their roles in "Spy Kids" and "The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl," the two actresses have more recently been noted for their hands-on contributions to the disaster-stricken community in East Tennessee, as reported by WKRN.
In an act to not solely show support but to also provide tangible relief, PenaVega and Dooley joined forces with The Salvation Army's Emergency Disaster Services team on Thursday. They helped to hand out over 600 meals during a busy lunch service. PenaVega's involvement with The Salvation Army isn't new; she has previously assisted with responses to Hurricane Ian in 2022 and the Maui fires in 2023. "We wanted to be here. We are blessed to be here. Serving others is such an important part of our lives," PenaVega told WJHL. "When you see the heartache and devastation, it’s hard not to jump in and help. These people have lost so much, and being able to give back, even a little, is a blessing."
Dooley, who also became a Tennessee resident, expressed her commitment to the community. She emphasized the importance of neighborly unity and support in times of crisis, stating to The Salvation Army, "Moving to Tennessee has been a blessing for my family, and being part of a community means showing up when times are tough. We’re all neighbors, and neighbors take care of each other."
Their involvement also extended past merely distributing meals; they took the time to engage with each person who came through. "It wasn’t just about handing out food," Dooley said. "It was about letting these people know they’re not forgotten. It was powerful to hear their stories and pray with them." Alongside providing aid, PenaVega and Dooley met with Ellen Watkins, a local coordinator who, despite having her own home flooded, has worked ceaselessly to support the community through social media and organizing the distribution of essential supplies - a testament to local resilience and compassion documented in the coverage by WKRN.
The ongoing relief efforts by The Salvation Army in East Tennessee have been substantial, serving over 30,000 meals and providing care to more than 1,800 survivors in the past two weeks. This wave of community support is bolstered by the generous backing of donors and volunteers, sustaining a beacon of hope for those impacted by Hurricane Helene. Individuals looking to contribute to The Salvation Army's disaster relief can do so through their website or by calling their dedicated number, thus continuing a much-needed legacy of assistance and hope in the face of adversity.
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