Elizabethtown resident Patrick Mattingly saw the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene and decided to help one of the smaller communities impacted by the storm.
“I partnered up with United Way of North Carolina and we’re doing a supply drive, taking any types of donations to take to Jefferson, North Carolina,” Mattingly said. “It’s a little farm town in Ashe County that’s been severely affected by the flood from Hurricane Helene.”
Mattingly is planning on driving a box truck provided to him by Penske to the area on Saturday, so people who would like to contribute can bring items to two locations Friday.
“One is at the E-Town Ace Hardware, and I believe that’s 408 West Dixie Avenue, and another drop-off point is going to be in Louisville for people that may be in Louisville,” Mattingly said. “It’s going to be at 10515 Fischer Park Drive in Louisville, and that is at the KCREA office.”
Mattingly says he has secured donations of water and food, but he is looking for a wider range of needed items.
“Hygiene, baby food, propane bottles,” Mattingly said. “They’re asking for fencing supplies, if anybody could help with that, because these farmers have cattle and livestock that they’re not able to corral, they’re just running wild, and people are already bringing water and food. It’s small things like trash bags and buckets and cleaning materials.”
Ace Hardware in Elizabethtown is open Friday until 8 p.m.
