By Becky Long
Publisher
Clay County residents continue to count their blessings from being spared Hurricane Helene’s wrath, but in many cases, volunteers have become blessings themselves as they work to help western North Carolina neighbors.
At least 215 people are known to have died as a result of the destruction wrought by Hurricane Helene since it made landfall in Florida a week ago. Half of the deaths were in North Carolina, according to the Associated Press.
Many local churches, businesses and civic organizations have served as drop-off sites for donations and supplies. The Progress is compiling a list of these sites. Send your information to: publisher@claycountyprogress.com so we can provide a complete listing in the weeks to come or stop by our office, 450 Business Hwy 64, suite 4.
Gov. Roy Cooper’s office listed this address for donations to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund, visit: nc.gov/donate.
If you are seeking information on volunteer opportunities, please visit nc.gov/working/volunteer-opportunities/volunteernc.
Pastor Chris Rumfelt with First Freewill Baptist Church said in a video while in Spruce Pine delivering supplies on Tuesday that submersible 110 pumps are badly needed.
DOT workers, EMC and others continue helping out in the flood deluged areas as well as local law enforcement.
Sheriff Mark Buchanan said he has three officers and and their chaplin working with the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office.
“They are working 12-hour shifts at night throughout this week,” he said. ‘They are supplementing that sheriff’s office with law enforcement related duties. We are also making regular runs with donated supplies to the eastern North Carolina counties in need.”
According to Congressman Chuck Edward’s website, these items are needed:
Items needed: Food, bottled water, contractor-size trash bags, blankets, first aid supplies, feminine hygiene products, diapers and baby clothes, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, paper towels, bleach, shovels, brooms, gloves, coolers, propane, cook stoves, flashlights, batteries, fans, dehumidifiers, and generators, pet food/items, blankets, shower and bath items, cleaning supplies, paper products, toiletries, medicine cabinet items, non-perishable foods, batteries, something loving for a child to hold, non-perishable food (canned goods, dried foods) - food that doesn’t need to be cooked, clothing - new or gently used, gasoline and gas cans, first aid kits, water filters and purification tablets, tarps, plastic storage bins, personal protective equipment (gloves, masks), LP tanks, charcoal, manual can openers.
The Sheriff’s Association sent out this list of where supplies can be taken, among others:
• Avery County Distribution Center: Feeding Avery Families – 189 Old Vale Road, Newland, NC 28657
• Buncombe County Distribution Center: Carolina Cargo – 108 Monticello Road, Weaverville, NC 28787
• Haywood County Distribution Centers: Jonathan Valley Elementary School – 410 Hall Drive Waynesville NC 28785
•Bethel Elementary School – 4700 Old River Road Canton, NC 28716
• Smoky Mountain Events Center – 758 Crabtree Road, Waynesville, NC 28785
•Henderson County Distribution Center – 18 McAbee Court, Flat Rock, NC 28731
• Madison County Distribution Center: Madison County Extension Office – 248 Carolina Lane, Marshall, NC 28753
• McDowell County Distribution Center: McDowell Technical Community College – 632 College Drive, Marion, NC 28752
•Mitchell County Distribution Center: Bowman Middle School – 410 South Mitchell Avenue, Bakersville, NC 28705
• Polk County Distribution Center: Tryon International Equestrian Center – 25 International Boulevard, Mill Spring, NC 28756
• Rutherford County Distribution Center: Rutherford County Health Department – 221 Callahan Koon Road, Spindale, NC 28160
• Watauga County Distribution Center: The Summit Pickleball – 278 Industrial Drive, Boone, NC 28607
• Wilkes County Distribution Centers: North Wilkesboro Motor Speedway – 381 Speedway Lane, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659
• Wilkes County Agricultural Center – 416 Executive Drive, Wilkesboro, NC 28697
• Yancey County Distribution Centers: Mountain Heritage High School – 333 Mountain Heritage High School Road, Burnsville, NC 28714
• Altec Industries – 150 Altec Drive, Burnsville, NC 28714