ELWOOD — An Elwood woman is rallying her neighbors to help those affected by recent flooding in southern Indiana.

Linda Southern made a decision to help flood victims last Thursday. Over the next few days, she organized a communitywide collection for those in Columbus, by coordinating area churches, civil organizations and local businesses.

On Friday and Saturday, Southern and a handful of volunteers will set up collections from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Leeson’s Building, located at 201 S. Anderson St. in Elwood. St. Vincent Mercy Hospital Foundation donated the use of the building.

During the collection, Southern hopes to gather paper products, personal hygiene items, cleaning products, baby products, nonperishable food items, drinking water, first aid supplies, clothing and bedding for those who’ve lost their homes to flooding.

The Elwood football team will be on scene to help unload carloads of donations, which will then be driven to Columbus in a truck donated by Red Gold.

Southern said she had no choice but to throw something together quickly. “They need the help now so it’s something that needs to be put together and acted on quickly.”

Those who want to donate should attend the collection or call Southern at (765) 552-1552.