Tons of relief supplies heading to storm victims after successful WAVY Help from Hampton Roads drive

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — After three days of the Help from Hampton Roads relief drive, victims of Hurricane Helene are getting tons of badly needed supplies.

Some donated out of a basic sense of generosity or even empathy.

“I’ve been helped before in hard times so I just wanted to return the favor,” said one man.

“The need’s so great, and we’re so blessed, and we’re glad to be able to help people get a foot back,” said a woman who donated.

Another donor has family in the flood zone in Western North Carolina.

“I can’t get there, so it’s a good time to bring stuff out here and help people,” that donor said.

WAVY teamed up with Mercy Chefs, Smiley’s Heating and Cooling, and the Navy for the Help from Hampton Roads drive.

“Their homes have been completely wiped away,” said Carol Ward, WAVY vice president and general manager. “This could be us someday, too.”

Personnel from USS George H.W. Bush, USS John C. Stennis and other units answered the call.

“The Navy is one call away,” said a donor who served in the Navy himself. “You call the Navy and they have a group of people here all the time. That’s a good thing about living in a military town.”

On day three Thursday afternoon, the line of donor cars was virtually nonstop at times.

Donations filled a full-sized tractor-trailer, a coach bus, a 26-foot box truck and two loads on a smaller box truck.

Just the act of giving makes a difference in lives here in Hampton Roads as well.

“I’m gonna stop complaining about myself and what I don’t have,” said one man who dropped off supplies.

“When the community comes out to support the community, you’re just mind-blown by the generosity that comes through,” said Stephanie Woods of Mercy Chefs. She said the final totals included 60 pallets of supplies as well as $25,000 donated for hurricane relief.

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