by Robert H. Elliott
Published: July 9, 2010

On June 24th the Today Show featured Memphis and Nashville in its "Lending a Hand" segment. This part of the network morning news program features needs being met all across the country with corporate and private sponsors stepping up to provide needed services, products and cash for needy projects and people.

The segment that featured Nashville connected on many levels as they showed two semi–trailers which seemed to be packed with goods and cheering people gladly un–loading those goods for the benefit of the flood ravaged citizens of Bellevue. The remote from Memphis featured weatherman Al Rocker interviewing recipients of this largess there and in Nashville. The two local Nashvillean's interviewed were Brian Williams of Hands On Nashville and Mark Eakes of Lowe's Home Improvement Stores.

Many people, captured in the background, seemed truly touched by the materials they were off–loading that would soon be in the hands of flood victims. There were building supplies, furniture, bedding and even 4 trucks to be given to needy victims of May's flooding! The only problem was that this was a photo–op! The items being un–loaded were props and representations of the items being donated. As reported by several television crews at the 'event', and Brian Williams of HON, people watching the live broadcast at home realized that this was happening down the street from their homes.

These homeowners started trooping down to the site to get what has been promised by so many and fund raised to the tune of $20 million – assistance in recovering from this devastating natural disaster. When they arrived at the event site they were told that the real items would be coming to a warehouse in about 30 days and HON would distribute those items "to the Community Resource center who would then distribute them to organizations helping flood victims,' said Mr. Williams.

Brian explained, "The Today Show set up the operation and choose the time and date to broadcast. We at HON were excited to be chosen to show the spirit of the sponsors who contributed in–kind materials for flood victims." Was this a sleight of hand card trick that raised the question – Who determines what supplies are distributed and to whom?

What has happened to all the copious amounts raised from corporate sponsors, like Lowe's, and private individuals with the promise of assistance to flood victims, who may only see those funds go into salaries, office rent and supplies for organizations involved in flood relief. Every person who gave up their hard earned cash in sympathy to flood victims would have hesitated if they thought that their money would be used for salaries and advertising for more funds instead of mattresses for flood victims. Lowe's is not the blame. Mr. Eakes noted on air that Lowe's was providing $107,000 in home improvement products for flood relief and that a $50,000 donation had also been made to the Red Cross.

Corporate sponsors donate believing that a responsible system to meet the needs for which the funds were solicited will be reasonably tendered and monitored. Corporate sponsors are in their business and don't have the time or the expertise to manage a relief program. Lowe's should be commended for its stepping forward in a time of need. They were probably as surprised that Bellevue homeowners showed up on national television. It was not done to deceive anyone and but many were confused as to the process.

Mr. Williams explained to those that did show up after seeing the 'live' broadcast occurring down the street that "They should contact agencies such as the Red Cross, Catholic Charities and the Community Foundation to receive the items represented on the telecast."