SALISBURY, Md. - Minister Mandel Copeland knows what it's like to deal with tragedy around the holidays. His family suffered a fire just before Christmas in 1985.
"I understand being burnt out, losing everything during the Christmas holiday and one of our passions is we want to let families know in Kentucky they are not forgotten and there are families in Maryland who are mindful of where they are," Copeland said.
Copeland wants to help those facing hardship this Christmas. After the devastating tornado outbreak in the heartland, Copeland says he knew he needed to help.
"Our desire is for our community to come together and create resources for those families that have been devastated in Kentucky."
Copeland's 50K Souls outreach ministry group has partnered with the YMCA of the Chesapeake. Executive Director Deanna Harrell says this is exactly the Y's mission.
"It's in our wheelhouse of what we do. When there's a need in a community we want to reach out to see what we can do to help."
Water bottle donations can be dropped off at YMCA locations across the Delmarva peninsula. Those locations are in Chestertown, St. Michaels, Elkton, Salisbury, Denton, Easton, Cambridge, Centreville, Pocomoke and Chincoteague.
