In an effort to satisfy their mission of keeping folks safe and comfortable in their homes, Creative Compassion began doing free weather radio campaigns last year.
“We’ve had families, singles, and we’ve had seniors stop by and pick up radios. It’s just so cool to see folks from all walks of life doing what they can to stay safe in severe weather,” said Creative Compassion’s Deputy Director Mark Baldwin.
One recipient, Ilean Helton, stopped by Creative to see if Baldwin could repair her current weather radio. He couldn’t fix it, but he was able to set her up with a brand-new radio.
“Ilean has seen a lot of weather in her 93 years of life, and now she’s ready to stay safe in the storms that will surely come again,” Baldwin said.
The weather radios are available to people who can’t afford them. Baldwin, known locally as Meteorologist Mark, will even program the radios for them.
Creative Compassion will be giving away these radios until they run out. About two dozen radios have been given away, with several more left to give.
Baldwin reminds the public to have multiple ways to get a weather warning and to make sure one of those ways is a weather radio.
The radios were made possible from money raised from showing “Twisters” at the Palace Theatre back in February. That fundraiser took place during Severe Weather Awareness Week. This was the second year for the fundraising event.
“These events have been so successful that we definitely plan on doing it again next year!” Baldwin said.
To get a weather radio, stop by Creative Compassion on 20 Penny Lane in Crossville. Baldwin encourages those wishing to receive a radio to contact him first, so that he can have it programmed when they pick it up.
Contact Baldwin at Creative Compassion at 931-456-6654 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday, or email him at dd@creativecompassioninc.com/.