ASHEVILLE, N.C. — It’s been more than three weeks since Helene devastated parts of western North Carolina and many residents are still in need of help.
FOX43's Evan Forrester traveled to the Ashville area with America's 9/11 Foundation to help deliver tons of donations recently collected across several states and right here in south-central Pennsylvania.
The first stop was a massive warehouse in Arden, NC where volunteers delivered tons of donated basic living supplies and much-needed buckets and other cleaning supplies.
America's 9/11 Foundation co-founder Ted Sjurseth says this is just part of what the organization does.
“This is helping our first responders in their communities. We were born to do that, to support our first responders and they need help supporting their communities," said Sjurseth.
More donations were brought to a second warehouse a short distance away, where volunteers sorted and prepared to send them out to those in need.
“There is no one [singular] ground zero. There is just so much damage in so many locations, so we are taking aid to those hard-hit areas and receiving lists of what they need," said Jennifer Jones with America Cares.
In some cases, weeks after the storm, Helene victims still need basics for survival.
Jones explained, “These are rugged mountain people, they are resilient but they need."
Organizers say the outpouring of donations has been incredible and sometimes overwhelming, coming from up and down the East Coast.
The challenge now is distribution and getting all the donated material to Helen victims in some of the hardest hit remote parts of the North Carolina mountains.
“Some places are not allowing access unless [it's aide]. So it’s been a challenge but the Lord provides and we'll be getting it done,” Jones said.
One of those hard-hit places is Black Mountain, NC where volunteers with America’s 9/11 Foundation transported several truckloads of requested items to the Railway at Black Mountain.
Volunteers have been serving almost 4,000 meals a day to hurricane victims who still don't have power, water and- in some cases- a home. There is occasional music to help lift spirits, a place to grab a hot shower, and an opportunity for those who lost everything to get clothes, blankets, and other essential items.
Organizers at the Railyard believe they'll be serving meals and providing help at the location for the next six months to a year as people try to get their lives back on track.
Sjurseth says, “All of America steps up to help and that's the key. Everybody steps up of every age group, every nationality comes and helps put this back together.”
Those interested can find more information on how to help Hurricane Helene victims by heading to the American Red Cross website here.
