Special to IFN

Students from the Agriculture and Science Early College (ASEC) helped move mountains on Friday in storm-ravaged Mitchell County.

A group of 48 student volunteers spent six hours unpacking and organizing seemingly endless mountains of clothing and supplies at donation and distribution centers located in Mitchell County school buildings.

It’s been nearly four weeks since Hurricane Helene hit the Town of Spruce Pine and much of Western North Carolina. The town is still struggling, with many people displaced from their homes and jobs, and a severely damaged water system.

The community has come together in truly incredible ways, Mitchell County Schools Director of Curriculum and Instruction Jennifer Miller said, and it has also been a blessing to have help and resources pouring in from around the region.

“Some of our local people have been working seven days a week on unloading and distribution,” she said, adding that 80 percent of school system employees are aiding in recovery efforts. “It’s been amazing how people have shown up and said, ‘This is where you need us and where we want to be.’ It’s restored our faith in humanity.”

The support that has poured in from around the country has be incredible, said MCS teacher Whitney Ledford, who has taken a lead role in coordinating the donation center.

“At this point, what we truly need is people to sort and organize,” she said.

Providing as many hands and feet as possible was the main goal in organizing the volunteer opportunity for students, ASEC principal Todd Russo said.

“We hope our team was able to rejuvenate spirits for the people here and show that there are others willing to step up and help,” he said. “With 48 people, we felt we were able to make an impact for this community.”

For those in Iredell County who would like to help, the district has organized a Go Fund Me to help cover the costs of several previously planned field trips for MCS students, especially a senior class trip.

“We really want our students to have those special experiences despite the disaster,” Ledford said. “We want every student who wants to attend these trips to have the opportunity to go.”

To donate, visit https://gofund.me/b55393c5

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