When Greenville-based company Happy Helicopters started a GoFundMe to fly supplies into Western NC, owner Isaiah Burch never expected it to turn into this.
“What I’m seeing is people coming with their cars loaded down that still don’t have power at their home... They’re still without,” Burch said. “I’ve lived all over the country with my flying career and I’ve never lived in a community that is this giving.”
Here’s what’s happening
Pilots from across the Southeast are landing at Greenville Downtown Airport to fly supplies into communities devastated by Helene. We met a trio of pilots from the Atlanta area who said they are bringing water, diapers, formula, and feminine products to Hands of Hope — a pregnancy resource center in Rutherford County, NC that is in desperate need of supplies.
Swamp Rabbit Moving + Walmart have donated trucks to help transport supplies to communities and other airports accessible by road. We’ve also seen individuals with trucks and trailers to support the effort by hauling supplies to the mountains.
As of the time we’re typing this, ~$180,000+ has been raised to keep this effort going.
Here’s how you can help
You can stop by Runway Park at GMU with:
- Non-perishable food items
- Water
- Empty gas cans
- Diapers
- Formula
- Toiletries
- Feminine products
- Generators
- Camping Stoves
- Charcoal
- Powdered milk
- New socks
- Benadryl
- Can openers
“There’s no wrong answer of stuff to bring as long as it’s sealed, new, non-perishable, or water, you can’t go wrong,” Burch said. “Anything you can bring is going to good use.”
You can also volunteer your time to unload cars, sort items, and load them for transport.
