Several efforts are underway to secure and send relief supplies to the victims on Hurricane Helene in North Carolina and other locations that suffered major devastation by the hurricane.
Muscatine Fire Department Battalion Chief Gary Ronzheimer is spearheading the local Carolina Hero Relief effort to provide critical support to first responders in the Carolinas who are facing overwhelming challenges in the aftermath of the Helene Disaster.
“Please take a moment to visit and share the GoFundMe page for the “Carolina Hero Relief” Fund, now live through Midwest One Bank in Muscatine,” Ronzheimer said. “While many of you are generously supporting the Red Cross and other organizations, this fund is focused specifically on helping public safety agencies impacted by Helene.”
Ronzheimer said that many departments have stepped up and donated equipment for the North Carolina first responders, but the relief effort could still use financial support to purchase gloves, helmets, and fire hoods plus covering the fuel costs for transporting the equipment.
Muscatine resident Julius Miller is also putting together a Hurricane Helene relief drive. Donations can be taken to the former Trinity Logistics Warehouse at 730 Clay Street starting Monday (Oct. 14) through Friday (Oct. 18), with donations being accepted between 4-7 p.m. Miller also has arranged for transportation of the items collected from Muscatine to be delivered to impacted areas down south.
Anyone looking to volunteer with sorting donations should call Miller at 309-373-7667 or email at julius.miller@frontier.com.
Suggested Items to Donate:
Baby Items – Clothes, Diapers, Wipes, Diaper Rash Ointment, Blankets, Pacifiers, Toys, Baby Shampoo and Baby Wash, Baby Lotion, Baby Formula and Baby Food
Clothes for Kids – Socks, Underwear, Shorts, Pants, Jackets and Shirts
Clothes for Teens and Adults – Socks, Underwear, Shorts, Pants, Jackets and Shirts
Linens – Towels, Bedding and Sleeping Bags
Pet Supplies – Food, Treats, Food & Water Bowls, Toys, Cat Litter and Cat Boxes, Pet Crates, Collars, Harnesses and Leashes
Things for Kids – Toys, Books, Coloring Books and Crayons, Puzzles, Games and other activities for kids.
Toiletries – Soap, Toothpaste and Toothbrushes, Combs and Brushes, Shampoo, Deodorant, Feminine Supplies, Advil and Tylenol, First-Aid Kits/Supplies
Miscellaneous – Flashlights, Batteries, Hand Sanitizer, Trash Bags
Additional ideas are boots and shoes, shovels, work gloves, knee pads, bleach and cleaning supplies, anything that you would use during a home renovation demo day!