Statesville Fire Department, Statesville Regional Airport serving as drop-off locations for hurricane relief effort

Posted on by Mike Fuhrman

Special to IFN

The local aviation community, led by a group of dedicated pilots from Charlotte, is organizing relief supply flights to get much-needed resources into communities across Western North Carolina that have been devastated by the remnants of Hurricane Helene.

The City of Statesville encourages the community to join in the relief effort. The pilots are working to fly supplies directly from the Statesville Regional Airport (Hangar 3) to areas that are inaccessible by road.

Your donations—whether supplies or cash—are vital in helping these communities rebuild.

How You Can Help

Drop off your donations directly to the Statesville Regional Airport, Hangar 3 (from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily) or any of the following Statesville Fire Department locations:

♦ Station 1: 822 Fifth Street
♦ Station 2: 110 Security Drive
♦ Station 3: 779 Eastside Drive
♦ Station 4: 115 Martin Lane

Accepted Items

Baby Food & Formula
Sports Drinks (Powdered Packets)
Hydration Packs (Powder Form)
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)

Items Not Accepted

Used Clothes
Water (due to weight)
Hazardous Materials
Most Chemicals (including bleach)
Fuel or Flammable Items

Donate Cash

If you would like to contribute financially, the pilots have set up a GoFundMe to purchase essential supplies like food, hygiene items, and baby products. The funds are being managed by Benjamin Spells, and all donations will be used immediately for relief efforts. Any unused funds will be forwarded to an emergency response organization. Donate at https://bit.ly/3ZNudrP Every contribution matters, whether big or small.

Your generosity will have a direct impact on helping our neighbors in need.

Stay Informed

For more information and real-time updates, follow the ‘Hurricane Helene Airlift Relief’ group on Facebook. Please SHARE this post to spread the word and encourage others to get involved.