A graphic with the title "Hurricane Relief" in bold red letters at the top. Below, there is an image of the Appalachian region, represented by states in varying patterns of green, gray, and orange, with a red heart in the middle. The text "Appalachia strong" is written across the region. At the bottom, the phrase "Schools Helping Schools!" is in yellow. The background is a muted gray with a green border.

Bristol Tennessee City Schools is joining other Northeast Tennessee districts to support area school districts with the greatest need following the devastation from Hurricane Helene. BTCS has been matched with Johnson County Schools and has been supporting their ongoing recovery efforts through numerous donations of relief supplies.

As their school district welcomes students back to the classroom, we are shifting our collection efforts for Johnson County Schools. We will now be asking for school supply donations for students who lost their belongings in the flood. This is an important way we can help students feel prepared and confident as they return to school for the first time since late September. There is a list of suggested items below. We will also include a school supply collection component in our upcoming employee United Way campaign.

Director of Schools Dr. Mischelle Simcox estimates that approximately 80% of their students and staff in Johnson County were impacted by the disaster. During the past few weeks, they have focused their efforts on ensuring those who do not have electricity, water, food, and other resources were cared for. They are so appreciative and feel incredibly blessed by the outpouring of love and support! “Every day gets a little better,” Dr. Simcox said. This latest effort will help them continue in their healing journey!

As school supply items are collected within BTCS, the district will deliver them directly to Johnson County Schools, who will distribute them to students in need.

Suggested School Supply Donations for Johnson County Schools

  • Bookbags

  • Notebook paper (college- and wide-ruled)

  • Single-subject spiral notebooks (college- and wide-ruled)

  • Multi-subject spiral notebooks (college- and wide-ruled)

  • Stitched composition notebooks

  • Crayons

  • Colored markers

  • Colored pencils

  • No. 2 pencils

  • Binders

  • Pencil pouches

  • Dividers

  • Scissors

  • Black pens

  • Blue pens

  • Glue sticks

  • Highlighters

  • Earbuds

  • Headphones

  • Bar and cap erasers

  • Plastic pocket folders

  • Rulers

  • Pencil sharpeners

DONATE MONEY: If you prefer to make a monetary donation, the school districts in Northeast Tennessee have partnered with the East Tennessee Foundation to manage all donations intended for school districts and their students, families, and staff. The fund was established to ensure that 100% of the donations will go to Hurricane Relief efforts in the affected areas.

Northeast TN School Districts Neighbor-to-Neighbor Disaster Relief Fund

VOLUNTEER: Looking to help with disaster relief? You can sign-up through United Way's Volunteer United to help in Unicoi, Washington, Carter, Johnson and Greene counties.

Volunteer for Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief Efforts