Natural disasters have a way of testing the resilience and solidarity of communities. When Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina, it left behind a trail of devastation that affected countless lives. However, in the face of this adversity, the Rotary Club of the Sandhills, like many other civic, religious and government organizations stepped in to provide much-needed relief supplies.
The immediate needs were immense, ranging from basic necessities like food and clean water to more specialized equipment to aid in recovery efforts. In the days after the hurricane the club delivered pallets of bottled water to communities hardest hit and, in the weeks, following purchased a full semi-trailer palletized nonperishable food wholesale from M.R. Williams, Inc of Henderson NC and delivered the much needed food to those same affected communities.
The club has continued to stay in touch with affected communities as organized government emergency relief has taken hold.
The club has long established relationships in WNC and for nearly 30 years has conducted an annual Christmas Tree sale. When club member Richard Dana went to Altamont NC to pick up this year’s supply of trees in November of 2024, he provided a check from the club for $2,500 to a local family closely associated with the tree nursery whose home was completely wiped out by the hurricane.
This past Saturday the club continued its support to affected communities. Star Church in Boone is deeply involved in ongoing relief efforts, currently supporting a large number of families and each weekend hosting firewood events where the community comes together to chop firewood and then deliver it across Avery County for families to use for heating.
Rotary of the Sandhills purchased two freezers, a washer and dryer from Kees appliance in Aberdeen and these items will be used by the church to store donated food and for local families to launder clothing.
The club also delivered two gas powered wood splitters, and three chain saws purchased from Provisions in Southern Pines to help increase the community’s ability to produce firewood from the many fallen trees.
