Community collaboration packs trailer for hurricane relief

QUEEN ANNE’S — Sending relief and goodwill down south, Justin Davis of First Light First Responders and countless volunteers and local organizations have been hard at work collecting donations to provide relief to victims of Hurricane Helene.

First Light is currently collecting from numerous businesses serving as donation drop-off sites and has multiple organizations working together across the Eastern Shore to get the items down south to where they are crucially needed, according to Davis.

“The amount of help from the community has been amazing and is great to see. Everyone has been more than willing to donate, and helpful,” Davis said.

One thousand donated canned goods were received from Cambridge, he said.

Right now donations are focused on essential needs of first aid, food, bug spray, toiletries, diapers, wipes, cleaning supplies, according to Davis.

The hurricane relief is expected to be an ongoing effort for some time, he said, and donations will soon be switching over to seeking winter gear of blankets, sleeping bags and thermal wear.

Participating counties include Anne Arundel, Caroline, Kent, Dorchester, Talbot, Wicomico, Worcester and parts of Delaware.

Queen Anne’s County drop-off locations include Britt’s Barber Shop, Bella Rose, Mamma Mia Italian Bistro & Bar, Kent Island Methodist Church, Custom Canvas Coverings Inc., Parks Tire & Auto Service, Inc., Ten Eyck Brewing Company, Queenstown Collision Center, Duty’s Service Center, and The Edge Training Academy.

The list of donation drop off sites continues to grow as of press time. Davis urged would be helpers to check the updated lists of donation items and current drop-off locations at the First Light For First Responders Facebook page. Those who would like to make monetary donations to aid the relief effort can do so care of the Kent Island Lions Club, he said.

More information about First Light for First Responders can be found at http://www.flffr.org.