ROCKINGHAM — Multiple relief efforts are being organized across Richmond County to give aid to those in Western North Carolina affected by the catastrophic flooding caused by Hurricane Helene.
On Saturday, Richmond County Tourism Director Meghann Lambeth announced a partnership with the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area Convention and Visitors Bureau to collect supplies to send to the mountains.
“The need for donations will persist for a long time, so our goal is to work together in the most time-efficient way to get the donations from here to the Western part of the state,” said Lambeth. “Our county has a historically resilient spirit and always steps up and shows out in times like these.”
Lambeth posted the below graphic featuring a list of supplies requested.
Bostick BP and Towing in Hoffman has a tractor-trailer on site and has secured a driver to deliver the supplies once it’s full.
Bostick BP posted on social media Monday that monetary donations were used to purchase more than 70 tarps and 11 socks for flood victims.
Several other local businesses are serving as drop-off locations:
- Rockingham Dragway
- Rockingham Speedway
- The Berry Patch
- Rockingham Fire Department
- Hamlet Visitor’s Center
- Hamlet Depot & Museums
- Hamlet City Hall
- City of Rockingham Parks & Recreation
- Derby Fire Department
- Drop a Box
- Tina Miller State Farm Insurance Agent
- Bostick BP & Towing
- Richmond Observer
On Monday, Commissioner Jason Gainey said the county was teaming up with Richmond County Schools and Sandhills Best Care to collect water for those around Boone.
“If you haven’t been watching the news, it looks like a nuclear bomb has gone off in Western North Carolina,” Gainey said. “We’re just asking every person … to donate one case of water if you can.”
Gainey said other items will also be accepted, specifically toothpaste and peanut butter, but “water is the number one need.”
Superior Cranes is sending a transfer truck that will be beside the field house of Richmond Senior High School on Tuesday and Wednesday to be loaded with water.
“This is a part where students can help, where families can help … doesn’t matter who you are, you can help meet the need in Western North Carolina,” said Gainey.
Superintendent Dr. Joe Ferrell said several individual schools are conducting their own supply drives, including Mineral Springs Elementary, the Ninth Grade Academy, Rockingham Middle and East Rockingham Elementary.
Richmond County Schools will be sending a loaded activity bus and Richard McRae will also be sending a fuel truck — making a second delivery — according to Gainey.
The convoy will leave around 4 a.m. Thursday and head to Watauga County.
“If they drop off after that, we’ll make another trip,” Gainey said.
Black’s Tire and Auto Service in Rockingham also announced that it will be collecting supplies and shared a graphic with a supply list.
“The people in western North Carolina are hurting from this devastating storm and we are all working to get resources to people as fast as we can,” Governor Cooper Roy Cooper said in a Sept. 29 press release announcing the granting of a major disaster declaration by President Joe Biden for 25 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
“We have deployed rescue teams, transportation crews, water, mobile kitchens and more,” Cooper added. “This is going to be a long-term recovery and this federal declaration will help us respond.”
According to the governor’s office, more than 500 National Guard soldiers have been deployed to assist in search and rescue missions and to deliver supplies and restore infrastructure.
The RO will have more on local relief efforts in future stories.
