DEMARK, S.C. (WJBF) – On Friday, November 23, several organizations teams up to distribute cases of bottled water to the citizens of Denmark, South Carolina.
The response came on the heels of news of an unapproved chemical being used for a time period to control the growth of iron bacteria in the Cox Mill Well in the City. That well has since been shut off.
“We do have a problem,” Ella Breland told NewsChannel 6’s Shawn Cabbagestalk. “This morning when I got up, the water in my bathroom was a little rusty and hasn’t been for a long time.”
The 80-year old resident is a proud Bamberg County native. “I was born in the little town of Olar,” she said smiling.
One thing she isn’t proud of is the water in the City after she says it ruined her clothing. “A $50 blouse going down the drain,” she recalled. “I was only able to wear the blouse once,” she added.
Breland was one of the dozens of residents who came out to water distribution day at Denmark Furniture after two local Walmart stores donated nearly 20 pallets of water Wednesday.
“Angels came from above Walmart brought that truck in town Wednesday night,” Detra Salley-Bruce said.
Founding organizer of Denmark Citizens for Safe Water said, when you have the heart to help people, you get results. “You see the need, you just start making phones, and you got this.”
“I’ve been buying water for years,” Helen Jeffery recalls. “I don’t drink the water,” she said.
Volunteers helped to take water from the loading dock of Ed McCormick’s store to the cars of the people.
“I appreciate they are giving us some clean water today,” Barbara Bryant said while in line.
Former State Representative Bakari Sellers felt an obligation to help. “Many times i’m related to half the people, served this area for a very long time, and so for me, this is home and this is what you’re supposed to do,” he said.
“It’s never going to be enough until the city fixes the water but we wanted for at least a few people over the holidays to have a chance to not have to worry about this issue,” he added.
It’s the kindness and generosity of strangers that Breland is proud of this holiday season.
“I’m so happy that we had the opportunity to come to pick it up, freely, you know.”
If you missed the distribution day, another one will be held on Wednesday, November 28 from 5-6 p.m. at:
Denmark Furniture
199 Coker Street
Denmark, SC 29042
If you would like to donate drinking water to the area, you can drop off or send shipments to the same address.
