The Avon Volunteer Fire Department is distributing community donations to Helene’s victims

Avon Volunteer Fire Department Chief Frankie Hopkins, Deputy Chief Andrew Dickerson and firefighter Ryan Albaugh delivered donations to Black Mountain on Tuesday to help victims of Hurricane Helene.

The three men traveled to western North Carolina early Tuesday morning and returned Wednesday evening.

Community members donated water, beverages, fruit, snacks, non-perishable foods, toiletries, clothing, batteries, tarps, medical supplies, cleaning supplies and pet food to the fire department on Saturday and Sunday.

“We are grateful to a very generous community for their donations,” Hopkins said. “If anyone knows what it’s like to experience a devastating storm, it’s the Outer Banks.”

The Avon Volunteer Fire Department donated two pallets of water and 100 storm buckets full of cleaning supplies left over from Hurricane Irene.

During their weekly training Monday, eight members of the Avon Volunteer Fire Department loaded the donations onto two department trucks and a 24-foot trailer provided by Dickerson.

Dare County has sent multiple emergency response units to the western part of the state since Hurricane Helene hit the area on September 27th.

Four linemen, a supervisor and three trucks from the Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative headed to western North Carolina to help restore power to the area, according to the Island Free Press reported.

On September 28, four county EMS first responders deployed to Rutherford County. The next day, five sheriff’s deputies from the county sheriff’s office deployed to Henderson County, Island Free Press reported.

Dare County officials are encouraging residents to donate to Hurricane Helene relief and recovery efforts.

To donate to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund, go to nc.gov/donate or send a check to

• NC Disaster Relief Fund, 20312 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-0312
• NC Disaster Relief Fund, c/o United Way of NC, 1130 Kildaire Farm Road, Suite 100, Cary NC 27511

To volunteer for relief and recovery efforts with North Carolina Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, go to ncvoad.org/volunteer.