As many of you may know, my husband and I are residents of Watauga County where my husband works full time. There is much devastation to Boone and the surrounding areas. Being back in Chapel Hill after seeing the aftermath of Helene, I have been feeling helpless when I know our community is in much need.
If any of you are feeling similarly and want to know of effective ways to help, I want to offer two ways that you can be of assistance to those who have lost homes, businesses and loved ones.
In our weekly trips to the area, we will be transporting supplies to be delivered by ground crew at Alliance Bible Fellowship Church or Ashe County Fire Department who will be distributing to the hardest hit regions.
The following list of items can be dropped off at our office:
- Non perishable food items
- Paper plates and utensils
- Manual can openers
- Small charcoal grills and charcoal
- Cook stoves and propane fuel for them
- Bottled water
- Diapers and wipes
- Baby formula
- Blankets
- Personal hygiene supplies (deodorant, dry shampoo, etc)
- Feminine hygiene supplies
- Cleaning supplies
- Medicine–Advil, Tylenol, Benadryl, bandages
- Blankets
There are churches in the area collecting funds that will be given directly to local families (not just church members) who have been crushed by the storm. Checks with a note in the memo line ‘For Families Affected by Helene’ can be mailed to:
Blowing Rock First Baptist
PO Box 3
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
or online at Alliance Bible Fellowship.
I am grateful for the opportunity to serve each of you and for the graciousness of so many offering their resources to help at such a critical time.
Most Sincerely,
Jessica
