Organizations throughout the Carolinas, including here in the Cape Fear region, are coming together to support the nearly one million residents in Western North Carolina who were affected by the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene. Below are some ways you can help, from donating locally to volunteering your time and resources.
Pender County EMS & Fire
Pender County EMS & Fire is accepting donations on Monday and Tuesday, and they’ll be delivering supplies to Western NC on Monday and Wednesday. Water is in high demand, so if you can donate, you can drop off water at either their emergency operations center in Burgaw (805 Ridgewood Ave) or EMS Station 2 in Hampstead (16660 US-17). Monetary donations can also be made out to Pender EMS and Fire, Inc.
They are also collecting various disaster supplies like non-perishable food, children’s toys, diapers, baby wipes, cleaning supplies, camping gear, and hygiene products. A full list of needed items is available upon request, but think essentials like canned food, paper goods, and basic medicines.
Pender County Schools
In collaboration with Pender EMS & Fire, Pender County Schools are also gathering donations for hurricane victims. Items like bottled water, non-perishable foods, hygiene products, and cleaning supplies can be dropped off at any Pender County school on Monday and Tuesday. These will be passed along to Pender EMS & Fire on Tuesday afternoon.
Shallotte Police Department & North Carolina Troopers Association
The Shallotte Police Department is working with NCSHP Troop B to collect supplies Monday through Friday this week. You can drop off items from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Lowe’s Home Improvement parking lot (351 Whiteville Rd, Shallotte).
Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office
The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office is accepting donations at various locations from Tuesday through Friday. You can drop items at their main office (70 Stamp Act Dr., Bolivia) from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., or at other sites like their Calabash and Belville substations, as well as Lowe’s Foods on Midway Rd.
Cape Fear Volunteer Center
The Cape Fear Volunteer Center urges people not to self-deploy but to instead focus on building cleanup kits or hygiene kits. Cleanup kits can include items like bleach, sponges, scrub brushes, laundry detergent, gloves, trash bags, and more. Hygiene kits need items like combs, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and hand towels.
Donations can be dropped off at the following Wilmington locations:
- 421 S College Rd
- 4618 Market St
- 703 Bellfork Rd, Jacksonville
Financial contributions are also highly encouraged as they provide flexibility to meet changing needs. Donations can be made through their website, and be sure to designate your gift for “WNC.”
Brunswick Beer and Cider/Wrightsville Beach Brewery
Both Brunswick Beer and Cider and Wrightsville Beach Brewery will be collecting supplies all day Monday. They are looking for items like diapers, wipes, cleaning supplies, bug spray, flashlights, and batteries.
NC Disaster Relief Fund
Governor Roy Cooper is encouraging donations to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund to help communities recover from the storm’s damage. Donations will be used for essential needs like food, water, and cleaning supplies. You can donate by mail or through the United Way of North Carolina.
American Red Cross – North Carolina
The American Red Cross is actively seeking donations and volunteers. You can donate money, schedule a blood donation, or text “HELENE” to 90999 to contribute. Visit their website for more information.
Sunset Beach Pier
Gary and Teresa Massey, owners of the Sunset Beach Pier, are collecting donations to bring to affected areas. They are requesting items like non-perishable food, cleaning supplies, gloves, mops, tarps, and more. Drop off your donations directly at the pier, and if you have any questions, give them a call at 910-579-6630.
Salvation Army of the Carolinas
The Salvation Army is well-known for its work in disaster response. You can help by donating food or essentials, or by volunteering. Check their website for more details.
Baptists on Mission
Baptists on Mission is looking for volunteers to assist with flood recovery, chainsaw work, and temporary roof repairs. You can sign up to help via their website.
Samaritan’s Purse
Samaritan’s Purse is organizing volunteer efforts starting Monday, Sept. 30, to provide emergency aid in Western NC. They are looking for volunteers and donations. More details are available on their website.
Operation Airdrop
Operation Airdrop is focusing its efforts on providing hot meals, essential supplies, and support to communities impacted by Helene. For more information, visit their site.
Hurricane Helene Family Assistance Center
If you have family or friends affected by the storm and need assistance, you can fill out a form on the Hurricane Helene Family Assistance Center’s website.
This outpouring of support from across the state is inspiring, and every little bit helps as these communities begin their recovery process. Whether you can donate items, time, or money, there are plenty of ways to get involved and make a difference.
Cape Fear Volunteer Center
The Cape Fear Volunteer Center is reminding people not to self deploy. Instead, make these up kits up, or buy pieces. You don’t need to buy it all.
Clean up kits should include Bleach: Two 1-quart or One 82 oz. Bottle or solution found at Home Depot, 5 Scouring Pads, 7 Pack of Sponges (assorted sizes), 1 Scrub Brush, 8 Cleaning Towels (reusable wipes), Liquid Laundry Detergent: Two 25 oz. or One 50 oz. bottle, Household Cleaner: One 12-16 oz. bottle, Disinfectant Dishwashing Soap: One 16-28 oz. bottle, Clothes Line: Two 50 ft. or One 100 ft., 50 Clothes Pins, 5 Dust Masks, 2 Pair latex or non-latex gloves, 1 Pair Work Gloves, 24-Bag Roll of Heavy-duty Trash Bags (33-45 gallon bags removed from box), Insect Repellant Spray: One 6-14 oz. can (aerosols must have protective caps), Air Freshener: One 8 or 9 oz. can (aerosols must have protective caps)
Hygiene Kits are also needed with 2 unbreakable combs (no sharp handles), 4 toothbrushes (packaged), 1 tube of toothpaste (6-8 oz., no pumps), 2 bars of soap (approximately 4 to 5 oz.), 2 hand towels (new towels)
Food: Canned goods, with a pop top only or enclose a manual can opener, Boxes of granola bars, Cases of Water
The Cape Fear Volunteer Center said a generous partner has donated three warehouses. He will be waiting until they give him the indication to go. You will continually be able to drop things off until they say otherwise. The warehouse is manned from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. There will be a big box outside of the warehouse. They have forklifts and they will be able to lift anything you should drop off.
Here are the drop off locations:
421 South College Rd., Wilmington
4618 Market St., Wilmington
703 Bellfork Rd., Jacksonville
Brunswick Beer and Cider/ Wrightsville Beach Brewery
Staff will be collecting supplies all day Monday at Brunswick Beer and Cider and Wrightsville Beach Brewery.
They are looking for the following: Diapers, baby wipes, paper towels, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, bleach, wipes, sponges, trash bags, liquid hydration packets, bug spray, flash lights, batteries, and plastic utensils
NC Disaster Relief Fund
Governor Roy Cooper is encouraging donations to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund to help communities recover from catastrophic damage caused by Tropical Storm Helene.
Donations can also be mailed to:
NC Disaster Relief Fund, 20312 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-0312
Or NC Disaster Relief Fund, c/o United Way of NC, 1130 Kildaire Farm Road, Suite 100, Cary NC 27511
Donations made to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund will go to nonprofits working to meet the immediate needs of storm victims such as food and water, cleaning supplies and other emergency supplies. All of the donations made will go to disaster relief.
United Way of North Carolina is the fiscal agent for the Fund and will provide grants and reimbursement to nonprofits working in impacted communities. Eligible non-profits can seek grants and reimbursement of up to $10,000 from the NC Disaster Relief Fund for efforts to meet immediate storm recovery needs via the United Way of North Carolina
American Red Cross – North Carolina
Anyone who is unable to access needed information can call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767). Visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) to make a monetary donation or schedule a blood donation appointment. Individuals can also text the word HELENE to 90999 to make a donation.
Sunset Beach Pier
According to a Facebook post, the pier owners, Gary and Teresa Massey are from the Morganton, NC area. They are going to be driving several trucks and trailers heading to the areas hit with this disaster. The Red Cross, Samaritans Purse, The National Guard, First Responders, Police, Fire, Medics from several surrounding counties and states are helping with the recovery efforts.
Please bring donations to the Sunset Beach Pier. They are planning on filling them all the vehicles and moving the caravan out in the next couple days.
Here is the list they need: Non-perishable foods, cleaning supplies, gloves, mops, brooms, tarps, large trash bags, bug sprays, shovels, diapers, baby wipes, adult wipes, feminine hygiene products, adult hygiene products, hand sanitizer, batteries, working flashlights, dry dog food, dry cat food. They are filling up a truck with water.
If you have any questions please call the pier house 910-579-6630.
Samaritan’s Purse
Samaritan’s Purse is seeking volunteers and donations online. Volunteers will be deployed beginning on Monday, Sept. 30 to the High Country to provide aid. The purpose of Samartan’s Purse to provide emergency aid to victims impacted by natural disasters.
Hurricane Helene Family Assistance Center
If you have family or friends in Western North Carolina and are looking for information, you can fill out the Hurricane Helene Family Assistance Center form found here.