In the wake of Hurricane Helene, groups have come together across the country to help people in Southwest Virginia, Northeast Tennessee and Western North Carolina who have been impacted by the storm.
There is also the Virginia Disaster Relief Fund, and our partners at Blue Ridge Public Radio have compiled a list of North Carolina organizations for people to support.
Below are organizations and businesses in Central Virginia that are collecting supplies for disaster relief efforts across the region, as well as a general list of what is needed:
Groups providing aid
- American Red Cross
- Food Lion
- World Central Kitchen
- Team Rubicon
- The Salvation Army
- United Way’s Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund
- Mutual Aid Disaster Relief
Supplies needed
- batteries (all types, but especially AA/AAA)
- non-perishable food
- canned food
- manual can openers
- plastic utensils
- baby food
- baby formula
- empty, sterilized baby bottles
- pet food
- cases of bottled water
- water jugs
- flashlights and lanterns
- toiletries, including toothpaste, soap and shampoo
- hygiene supplies, including feminine products
- paper products, including paper towels and toilet paper
- sports drinks like Gatorade
Shenandoah Valley
- Blue Ridge Aviation and Shenandoah Valley Airport: Collection of items began on Oct. 2. Local pilots will deliver donations to areas affected by Helene. Drop off supplies at General Aviation Terminal: 77 Aviation Cir., Weyers Cave.
Albemarle County and Charlottesville
- Abrahamse and Company Builders are coordinating efforts with Corner Stone Summit Church in Boone, North Carolina. Supplies can be dropped off at 325 Winding River Ln., Suite 202 in Charlottesville.
- Sir Speedy is collecting pet items for the SPCA at 1132 E. Market St., No.7 in Charlottesville.
- Moving Forward Moving Company is accepting donations through Oct. 6 at 1994 Snow Point Ln. in Charlottesville from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Richmond
- Lakeside Volunteer Rescue Squad is accepting donations on behalf of the Damascus Volunteer Rescue Squad for hurricane relief efforts in Southwest Virginia that will be delivered on Oct. 6. Members will be on site at 2007 Timberlake Ave. throughout the week to collect supplies and donations. If nobody is at the station, there is a donation bin located out front. The rescue squad is also holding a donation drive on Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the station’s parking lot.
- RVA Community Fridges has teamed up with Mutual Aid Disaster Relief to collect donations, which are being accepted in the backyard of Helen’s Restaurant, 2527 W. Main St.
- SoulShine Studios is also collecting donations at 9200 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 111.
- No Limits Nutrition and RVA Iron Gym are collecting supplies that will be donated to the Durham Rescue Mission, where they will then be delivered to areas affected by the storm. Donations are being accepted at 1311 W. Broad St., 3910 Adams Rd. and at RVA Iron Gym’s Chester location at 361 E. Hundred Rd.
- Southern States Midlothian,1200 Alverser Dr., is collecting money that will be used to buy supplies for people in areas affected by the storm. Items to be purchased include livestock feed, pet food, animal health supplies, temporary fencing, personal protection equipment, chainsaws, tarps and fuel cans.
Louisa County
- A&N Automotive, 196 Poindexter Rd. in Louisa, is teaming up with other auto shops throughout Virginia to bring donations and aid to Greensboro, North Carolina where the logistics will be handled by Operation Airdrop. The organization will bring aid to people who’ve been impacted by the hurricane via a fleet of private helicopters.
- The Get-A-Grip BMX team is also accepting donations at various sites throughout Virginia through Oct. 5. Donations will be accepted between noon and 9 p.m. at NOVA BMX, 7 County Complex Ct. in Woodbridge, and until 8 p.m. Friday at The Forge Jiu-Jitsu, 367 W. Shirley Ave. in Warrenton.