Tyler Whetstone

tyler.whetstone@knoxnews.com

More than 1,800 volunteers will be needed in Gatlinburg over the next three days, according to a nonprofit coordinating volunteer efforts for the fire-ravaged area.

On Monday, Volunteer East Tennessee opened the Volunteer Reception Center, 1304 Parkway in Sevierville (the building says "Theater" on the front), which will serve as the volunteer “headquarters” for Sevier County fire recovery relief efforts.

All volunteers wishing to assist in fire recovery efforts will check in there, and should bring a picture ID, warm clothes and food as no meals are guaranteed, according to Alexandra Brownfield, executive director of Volunteer East Tennessee. The Reception Center will be open seven days a week, 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Right now, the focus is on warehouse needs, as the county has been inundated with donations. After the city opens on Wednesday, additional volunteer opportunities will be populated based on needs.

"Every day the number of volunteers shift and where we need them (shifts) so they come here and we distribute them into the community where they’re needed most," Brownfield said.

Once the city opens, volunteers will be allowed to help individual approved homeowners clean up their property, she said. Homeowners should contact the Center to begin the process of becoming an approved homeowner.

Jaden Bratton was manning the desk of the Jubilee Warehouse at 2115 Parkway where the group is accepting goods. Donations brought to the warehouse are grouped by like items, wrapped and loaded onto semi-trucks bound for Boyd's Bear at 149 Cate Lane, where they can be picked up by residents.

“Right now we’re just focusing on getting the donations in and getting them to the people who need them as fast as we can,” Bratton said.

Inside the warehouse was a massive room full of anything imaginable. Candles, lamps, Keurigs, mattresses, trays, plates, toys, pillows, dog crates and every toiletry item. All of that is good and will go to needy people, Bratton said, but the group needs food and money most.

“Financial donations can be allotted if actual physical donations aren’t meeting the need," he said.

To sign up to volunteer, visit https://www.volunteeretn.org/volunteeringindisaster. Those interested in volunteering who are unable to during the next three days can register there to be notified for future volunteer opportunities aiding in fire recovery relief efforts.