The destruction from Hurricane Helene is widespread throughout the Southeast. On Sunday, we prayed for all those affected by this storm. Today, we have come up with a series of steps to transform our prayers into action.
As of now, we are focusing our efforts on Western North Carolina, although we recognize there is much need everywhere. Here are some ways you can help:
1. Donation Drive
The Cornelius Police Dept. is filling up several trailers and driving them to areas most affected by the storm. We will be collecting donations at Unity and then transferring them to Cornelius.
You can drop off your donation in the garage of the church manse. We will leave the garage open so it is accessible after-hours. Here is a list of needed items:
Needed Items
Water
Gatorade
Baby Food & Formula
Baby Wipes & Diapers (Children & Adults)
Bug Spray & Repellent Sunscreen
Plastic Utensils
Manual Can Openers
Trash Bags (13 Gal or Contractor)
Non-Perishable Foods
Cleaning Supplies
Plastic Sheeting/Tarps
Toothbrushes & Toothpaste
Toiletries & Sanitation Items
Pet Food (Dog & Cat)
Hand Sanitizer & Sanitizing Wipes
Feminine Hygiene Products
Heavy Duty Work Gloves
Socks (All Sizes, Unopened)
If you have a pickup truck and are willing to drive donated items to Cornelius, please contact me at david@unitypres.org.
2. Emergency Housing
We are making the manse available for temporary emergency housing. Pastor Dana spent several years serving a church near Weaverville, NC and has heard from several people who need a place to stay temporarily. We are going to open up the manse to those who need a place to shower, do laundry, and spend a night or two as they recover.
Yet we know the need stretches beyond just one house.
If you have room in your home to temporarily house those who are fleeing the mountains, please email Dana at dana@unitypres.org.
3. Mission Trips
A lot of rebuilding will have to be done in the coming months. I plan to work with our Mission Board and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to see how we can most make an impact.
We will most likely schedule one or more mission trips to the affected areas. I will share with you details about these trips when more information becomes available.
For now, please continue to hold all those affected in your prayers. We pray for those who are stranded and in need of food, water and gasoline. We pray for the linemen who are working overtime to restore power. We pray for those who are missing and unaccounted for. We pray for those who’ve lost their homes or face substantial rebuilding. God, we place this all in your hands.
—Pastor David
