10/16/2024
Just returned from Western North Carolina. We assisted in updating some assessments of the affected area. From Crabtree down to Gerton over to Linville across to Burnsville, dipping down to Barnardsville, with many stops in between. Were primary stopped at Fire Departments, Churches, and Community centers. A few police officers, farmers, general public.
No matter how close you follow what is happening over there, it doesn’t compare to what you experience when you are there. News and social media don’t come close.
Across the board any place that was excepting donations is swimming in generosity. To the point that some are turning away donations. They just can’t handle the volume of what they are receiving. It takes many many volunteers to process the items as well as space to store it in. There is still a need for support, but it is more specific items and even that is ever changing. Routinely I heard we are good today, but please don’t forget us and check back in two weeks.
They are generally good with water, animal food, baby items, and used clothing. Most are asking for new cold weather clothing, sleeping bags, propane tanks ( small and large) adapter hoses for those bottles.
I would highly recommend choosing a specific location, check their page and get them what they specifically need. Another option is to give to Samaritan’s Purse. They are very active in the most severely hit areas. They are making purchases for those areas in need. Your money will get to who needs it the most.
It is heart warming of the generosity that has poured into the area. Most areas are starting to get over the initial phase and are taking cleaning up. There is need for heavy equipment and operators, tree removal cranes. We met organizations that travelled from Mississippi, Alabama, Texas, Tennessee, just to name a few. We stopped at a community center that was very busy getting people what they needed, connecting them to those who could provide the services. They asked about neighbors, checked in on each other. Everyone is “good” make sure so and so has something first.
