A donation drive for people affected by Hurricane Helene is taking place in Arlington this week.
From noon to 7 p.m. today (Wednesday) and Friday, the county’s four public safety agencies are collecting supplies for North Carolina residents impacted by the storm’s destruction.
The donation drive is happening in the parking lot of the Arlington Assembly of God church at 4501 N. Pershing Drive. The following items are requested.
Cleaning/laundry supplies
- All-purpose cleaners
- Dish soap
- Heavy-duty trash bags
- Laundry detergent
- Paper towels
- Toilet paper
Hygiene products
- Bandages
- Body wipes
- Diapers and Pull-Ups for babies, toddlers and adults
- Deodorant
- Dry shampoo
Other items
- Batteries of all sizes
- Flashlights and lanterns
- Hand and foot warmers
- Nitrile gloves in small and medium sizes
- Tarps
- Work gloves
This drive is being organized by the Arlington County Police Department, Fire Department, Sheriff’s Office, and Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management staff.
Monetary donations and gift cards will not be accepted at the drive. Instead, the county recommends donating to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund, the United Way of Southwest Virginia or the Asheville Police Foundation.
After items are collected, Paul Davis Restoration will transport the donations to North Carolina — where initial damage estimates total $53 billion, according to Gov. Roy Cooper’s office. That is the largest damage estimate from a natural disaster in North Carolina state history.
About 220,000 North Carolina households are expected to apply for federal assistance, according to the Associated Press. The storm caused damage to an estimated 126,000 households.
Over a month after Hurricane Helene, many western North Carolina residents face food insecurity and remain without shelter, running water and power, according to WCNC Charlotte.
