Community Effort Will Allow Installation of Two Tornado Sirens in Summertown

A grassroots community effort undertaken April 30 to raise funding to cover the cost of installing tornado sirens in the Summertown area exceeded the initial goal in just a matter of hours. Lawrence County Commissioner for the district, Scott Franks, posted about the effort on social media the evening of April 30. He explained that the effort was first initiated when some community members located a used siren that was for sale for $5,000. “After a discussion with the seller, Joe Potts purchased it for a very discounted price,” Franks pointed out. That was around one year ago. Although Summertown Utility District had initially intended to reimburse Potts for the purchase and cover the approximate $3,000 it would take to install the siren, they learned that, since the project was unrelated to water service, they could not legally use water utility funds in that manner. The project was placed on the back burner, however, interest was renewed when strong storms recently passed through the area. “I am hoping we can start a grassroots campaign to raise the money to get this project completed,” Franks said. They found that, with a nonprofit organization heading up the project, they could seek donations, at no cost, via the fundraising platform Zeffy. Mallory’s Way Foundation stepped in to head up the project and a goal of $5,000 was set. Great interest was shown in the fundraiser, and within just 15 hours the goal was met. “I am not surprised our community exceeded our goal, but doing it in only 15 hours is simply amazing,” Franks shared. The goal was subsequently revised to $8,000, with any funds exceeding the installation cost to go toward the purchase of additional sirens in the future. In addition, Franks said that he had been contacted by a person who wished to donate a second siren, allowing them to expand the coverage area. Organizers plan to install the first siren in the vicinity of the water towers on Highway 20. Plans are to pursue grant funding in the future for additional sirens.