ROCKINGHAM — People all over Richmond County are still collecting things to help people in the woods who were hurt by Hurricane Helene.
The manager of Rockingham Speedway, Dustin Russell, put up a short video on the track’s Facebook page around noon on Friday talking about how they were working with Warriors in Motion to help smaller towns in Western North Carolina.
Russell moved his phone around the room to show what food and other things people had dropped off.
The track shared photos on the Warriors in Motion page that show many cases and jugs of water, nappies, snacks, and pet food.
Russell told them, “We couldn’t do this without you guys.” “Thanks… ” I’m proud of our neighbourhood and the people who live here. “You guys are great.”
Russell said that gifts are still being taken at the front desk, and that things are brought inside every hour or so.
Staff from the speedway and Warriors in Motion will bring and hand out supplies to “the hard-hit areas that no one can get to,” Russell said. “We’re going to the people directly.”
According to the National Weather Service, nighttime lows will drop into the 40s next week.
Russell asked people to please bring blankets and warm clothes, but neither the Red Cross nor the Federal Emergency Management Agency will take them.
Animal welfare groups in the area have been helping to find homes for pets that were forced to move because of the storm.
This coming Saturday, Richmond County Operation Fix will bring its second load of goods to the Forsyth Humane Society, which is acting as a hub for the area.
Operation Fix founder Allison Story says that the most important things are dog food, cat food, and cat boxes.
Helping Animals Rescue Transport has been gathering goods for both people and pets that will be sent to Allegheny County. The Humane Society of Richmond County has also been a drop-off point.
You can also drop off pet items at the Rockingham Re/Max Southern Realty.