Collection efforts for North Carolina flood victims continues in St. Albans

St. Albans citizens continue to collect donated items for Asheville flood victims. Donations will be accepted through Friday, Oct. 11.Photo byCalle MacaroneonUnsplash

ST. ALBANS, W.Va. -- A St. Albans entrepreneur will head to North Carolina this weekend to help flood victims still reeling from the effects of Hurricane Helene.

Cody Mace, a St. Albans resident and owner of Dandy’s Lawn Service, is spearheading the trip.

“Planning to take a load of supplies down by the end of [this] week,” Mace said in a public social media post shared more than 440 times recently.

The St. Albans community is backing Mace in his efforts. Local businesses, including U-Haul of Saint Albans and Lowe’s in Nitro, as well as the St. Albans Fire Department, have made contributions to the effort.

Mace and his wife, Jacklynn, plan to haul a 30-foot trailer full of donated supplies from St. Albans to Asheville on Saturday, Oct. 12.

“I’m planning on staying at least one night but may stay longer if I’m able to hook up with contacts needing help,” he said.

Mace continues to accept supplies and will continue to do so through Friday, Oct. 11.

To make the collection effort easier, various businesses and government agencies in St. Albans have stepped up to be drop-off locations for the donation drive.

Leonard’s Electrical Suppliers on Fourth Ave. and the St. Albans Police Department on MacCorkle Ave. both agreed to serve as collection points.

“If you would like to drop off a donation, you can bring it to the [St. Albans Police] station...between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday,” officers wrote on Facebook. Police officials said that contributors who can’t make it during those hours should “contact us on Facebook Messenger so we can make arrangements” to collect the items.

Organizers said most any relief supplies are welcome.

“Buncombe County [where Asheville is located] is requesting a few particulars, [like] gloves, masks and five-gallon buckets with lids,” Mace said.

Non-perishable foods, pet supplies, can openers, blankets, sleeping bags and contractor trash bags would also be helpful, officials with the St. Albans Police Department said.

Those interested in contributing to the donation drive are asked to bring items to Leonard’s Electrical Suppliers at 319 Fourth Ave. or the St. Albans Police Department at 613 MacCorkle Ave. through Friday, Oct. 11.

Michael Ramsburg is a Kanawha County communities reporter. He can be reached at ramsburgreports@gmail.com or by calling 304-370-3067.