Local residents unite to organize hurricane relief effort in Carolinas

On Friday, September 27, Hurricane Helene ripped through part of Florida as a category 2 hurricane. 
Then it made its way into North Carolina as a tropical storm, depositing record-breaking amounts of rainfall. 
With wind gusts of 70 mph and historic rainfall, rivers overflowed, dams were breached and mudslides occurred. 
In many places their entire infrastructure was destroyed.  Trees were blown down, power was cut off and lines of communication were destroyed.  Nearly 100 deaths occurred and the damage is listed at 53 billion. 
Ashville and the surrounding area seemed to suffer the most devastation. A contact person in Raleigh, NC said that hundreds of people leave their homes and go to help those in Ashville every weekend and will keep it up for at least until the first of the year. 
The bridges have all been washed out and some of the places are only accessible by air drop.  A lot of damage occurred in the Appalachian region.  With winter coming on there’s a dire need for supplies of warm clothing etc.  
Our area is known for its generosity.  Many people are ready to help in any way they can. 
We’re inviting the people of Monticello, Blanding, Moab, Bluff, LaSal, Dove Creek and surrounding communities to help us fill a semi with supplies to send to the folks in  Ashville, NC and beyond. 
The Alan Lund Trucking Company has generously donated a semi truck and driver to deliver everything we collect.  We don’t have a definite departure date yet, but it will be sometime in the first week of December.
The list of needs is long, but we’ve narrowed it down to what we can do.  We need NEW sweatshirts and NEW sweatpants, all sizes.  NEW  socks.  Hats and gloves.  (A 90 yr. old woman has already donated 35 knitted hats she made.) 
Coats, new or gently used, clean and labeled according to size.  (Just write the size on a piece of tape and stick it on the clothing.) Quilts and blankets, new or used and in good condition.
Feminine products.  Tampons, pads, small bottles of hand sanitizer or wet wipes, small disposable trash bags (such as Scenscibles), Tylenol or Ibuprofen.  Gallon zip lock bags (to use when we make up the feminine kits.  They only need 200,000.)  Diapers for babies and adults.  Most things can be ordered in bulk online.  
The following locations are drop off places for your donations.  Blanding:  Utah Food Bank, 295 E 200 N.  Monticello:  Michelle Sonderegger generously donated her husband’s new shed at 432 N 400 W.  (Right behind the temple.) 
There will be a large box and sign where to put your donations.   Please put your donations in plastic garbage bags so they’ll be protected from the elements. 
Some of you may want to give money and I’m working on an account so you can deposit it.  Somehow I just didn’t get it done this week.  I’ll send out a notice later with the information.  Or send it to Linda Lewis,  PO Box 65, Monticello, Utah 84535.  If you have any questions please call Tracy Halliday Johnson at 435-459-1069 or Linda Lewis 435-459-9843. 
Knowing the generosity of our communities, there’s no doubt that we can collect enough supplies to fill the semi truck.  It’s the giving season and what better way to be thankful for all we have, than by sharing with others. 
Spread the word.  School clubs and youth groups can order supplies, make kits and quilts and donate items. 
One woman suggested that along with the donated items, we could include a handwritten card of hope and encouragement.  That’s something any child or adult could do.  Thanks for all your help.  Let’s do this !
Blanding Food Bank drop off hours
Mon.10-2, Tuesday  and Wednesday 10-12 & 2-4, Thursday 12-2 & 4-6, Friday 10-2