Locals groups organize efforts to help Helene victims

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – The Lowcountry continues to put together efforts for victims of Hurricane Helene.

John’s Auto Clinic has been collecting donations and will continue to until the organizers depart. The owner said there are pallets of water, canned goods, pet food, and toiletries already. However, they will take anything they can get.

“Everything – everything that they need, and they need everything,” Roxanne Baker, owner of Carolina Tree Service, said. “He’s got a ton of stuff in here that people have been dropping off on Johns Island.”

John Weishaupt, owner of John’s Auto Clinic, said he is taking his truck and trailer to Hickory, North Carolina on Friday morning. While he hopes there’s more items to come, he is willing to go out and get more.

“I hope I don’t have any room. I hope we have it full, but if we have room we’ll pick up for anybody else that wants to donate.”

The Town of Mount Pleasant sent up its public services department and its fire department to assist with recovery. The group of 15 are being housed in Anderson to help cut down trees and to help with fire safety.

“I have family up there,” Will Haynie, mayor of Mount Pleasant, said. “I know that there are trees down, they don’t have power yet. We know that scenario all too well down here. It’s what we used to call chainsaw music – you know those trees getting cut and power getting restored.”

The mayor echoed that places like Anderson helped the town before when it’s needed it, now it is Mount Pleasant’s turn.

“You’ve seen their trucks picking up our debris after a hurricane has come through. It could be us next, we’re all in this together. Just because the town of Mount Pleasant sent help, doesn’t mean the rest of us can’t give.”

If you would like to donate, here is a list for drop-off locations .

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