Rotary Southern Connecticut organizes relief effort for victims of Hurricane Helene

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A local organization is leading a hurricane relief effort for victims of Hurricane Helene. Volunteers for Rotary Southern Connecticut are collecting necessary items for victims in Ashville, North Carolina at the Stop & Shop in Westport. "We're stacking and packing them as fast as you’re getting them," said one volunteer. "It was total devastation and I really feel bad for those people down there," said Bill Caldwell from Westport. They are collecting everything from paper products to generators. "Everything helps. They have nothing down there so anything that you can donate and get down there is helpful for those people," said Caldwell. Ron Holtz has been in Rotary for 34 years in 4 states. "The idea with Rotary is a service above self so people want to help others whatever and it’s a service organization," said Holtz. "Very lucky in Westport and you know we want to share a little bit of our well-being," said Jerry Canet from Westport. "Thank you so much. Thank you," said a volunteer. Some of the items being collected Tuesday include:

• 1. Canned or packaged food with a long shelf life (especially cases of Ramen, Pasta, and Rice)
• 2. Paper products (toilet paper, paper towels, feminine hygiene products, baby diapers)
• 3. Small generators (if available)
• 4. Animal feed (horse, goat, and chicken feed)
• 5. Pet food and cat litter

Once all items are collected, the trucks will be driven directly from Connecticut to Asheville, North Carolina. Volunteers are also collecting at Connecticut Engravers in Milford. "