Pilots transporting donations out of Lincoln County airport

IRON STATION, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A community-led effort to get aid to areas of Western North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Helene has found a home base at the Lincolnton-Lincoln County Regional Airport.

Dozens of pilots have volunteered to bring essential supplies to smaller communities in the mountainous region which have yet to receive any federal or state assistance.

Mark Radke got a call Sunday from a fellow pilot asking to use his hangar to help store supplies and mobilize people who could help. He said he never imagined how large the grassroots operation would grow.

“It’s been overwhelming, all the support we got,” he said. “The volunteers have been here from 6 in the morning to 10 at night.”

Radke said Tuesday alone they were able to send out more than 70 flights with private planes and roughly 30 helicopter trips into areas where travel is difficult.

“It’s devasting. You have to see it firsthand, even seeing it from the air doesn’t do it justice but we have had a good perspective,” Radke said.

His daughter-in-law, Chelsea Radke, helps lead the group. She describes it as a ‘cowboy operation’ because its success relies not on an official organization but the work of dedicated individuals.

She said their small size allows them to work directly with people who need assistance.

“I just want people to really remember and wrap your arms around these little communities. Collettsville, Spruce Pine, Newland, Burnsville. We got a message from Celo. There’s 9000 people there trapped, have not even been able to get to them,” she said “We have people we’re meeting dropping supplies off at people with ATVs and side-by-sides willing to take it into these people. We just need your donations.”

Radke said the most commonly requested items include medical supplies, high protein drinks and snacks, baby supplies, trash bags, cleaning supplies, pet food, and new clothes.

Donations can be dropped off at 714 Jack Dellinger Road, Iron Station NC 28080.

People may donate funds for fuel by calling the airport at 704-735-0602.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.