(Editor’s note: After reading about an opportunity to help North Carolinians devastated by Hurricane Helene, Hopkinsville resident Ginny Lawson recruited two friends, headed out to shop for supplies and delivered the goods to the local airport. Hoptown Chronicle asked her to write about it.)
As we all know, thousands of victims of Hurricane Helene east of us are in dire conditions. No food, no electricity, no water, no cell connections — and in many cases, no homes.
After taking a check on Monday to Hopkinsville’s Salvation Army, I wondered what else I could do to help the people affected by Helene. Then I read about Operation Airdrop and called two friends to join me on Wednesday for an emergency run to Walmart!
And off we went, shopping lists in hand.
With determined looks, we grabbed carts and headed into the well-stocked aisles of merchandise. My first aisle contained varieties of breakfast bars and energy bars. Next came multiple cans of spaghetti and soups. Each had pop tops, of course.
Then I went to paper products — paper towels, toilet paper and diapers. Meanwhile my friends were filling their cart with packs of socks and more diapers.
I headed to the area for outdoor supplies and picked up flashlights. Imagine how pitch dark the nights must be!
After checking out, we headed to the Hopkinsville-Christian County Airport to deliver our purchases.
We met the nicest gentleman from Cadiz who was loading goods into his small plane. Off he went at 4 p.m. for his third delivery trip to North Carolina.
Angel wings take all forms.
Hours later, around 2 a.m. the next morning, I realized that some important items, like wet wipes, baby formula and feminine products, should have been purchased. The needs are great and will continue for months.
More ways to help
Thursday, Oct. 3, was the last day the Hopkinsville airport could accept items for Operation Airdrop delivery to North Carolina. An airport official said a substantial number of donations resulted in several flights from Hopkinsville to East Tennessee and North Carolina, and the last donations were expected to be flown out on Friday.
But there are additional ways to help people affected by the storm and its aftermath. This could include contributions to charity organizations working in the regions affected. Here are five to consider:
- BeLoved Asheville, a community-based nonprofit that addresses local issues, such as housing and health care disparities. The organization is now dedicating all of its resources to storm relief by providing food, clothing, shelter and counseling.
- World Central Kitchen has set up high-capacity kitchens in Asheville. The charity founded by chef Jose Andres is also serving free meals in Florida, Georgia and Tennessee.
- Salvation Army is providing assistance to thousands of people affected by Helene with food, drinks, emotional support and spiritual care.
- North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund is collecting donations that will support the nonprofits working to address the immediate needs of storm victims.
- American Red Cross has set up dozens of shelters and has assisted residents looking for loved ones who were unaccounted for after the storm.
Ginny Lawson is a retired educator. She resides in Hopkinsville.
