SMITHFIELD – The parking lot at the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office was bustling with activity Tuesday morning as citizens steadily dropped off donations to support hurricane victims in Western North Carolina (WNC). In response to the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene in the NC mountains, Johnston County, along with the Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Services, launched a week-long donation drive.
County employees were on hand to help residents unload their vehicles with disaster relief supplies, which were placed on pallets and loaded onto tractor trailers on site.
Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell said there had been overwhelming support from the community. Sheriff Bizzell was using a forklift to load supplies into the back of the fourth semi truck trailer filled with supplies since the relief efforts began Monday. By Tuesday afternoon, the fourth trailer was filled with relief supplies and a fifth trailer was brought in to be loaded with donations.
The relief supplies collected sofar will ship out Wednesday morning. Some of the supplies be delivered to Hendersonville, NC where several Johnston County Emergency Management officials are currently located, helping their counterparts with recovery efforts.
There is still time for you to donate to help lend a hand to fellow North Carolinianas. The supply drive in Smithfield will continue through Friday, Oct. 4.
You can contribute new, unused, and non-perishable items including but are not limited to:
- bottled water
- non-perishable food
- paper products
- plastic utensils
- sanitary wipes
- cleaning supplies
- hygiene products (toothpaste, soap, shampoo, etc.)
- diapers
- baby wipes
- sports drinks
- hydration powder packs
- bug spray
- manual can openers
- trash bags
- socks (all sizes, unopened)
- heavy duty work gloves
- pet food
Donations can be dropped off at the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office from 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m through Friday, October 4. The Sheriff’s Office is located at 2875 U.S. Hwy. 70 Business East, Smithfield, N.C. 27577. Signs will be visible to help direct motorists to the correct drop-off point.
In addition to physical donations, cash and checks are also welcome. Please make checks payable to:
County of Johnston
Relief Fund
P.O. Box 1049
Smithfield, N.C. 27577
Please put “Western NC/Helene” in the memo line. All funds will be collected and donated directly to emergency relief efforts in western North Carolina.
For more information, contact the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office at 919-989-5010.
