Volunteers from other states helping rebuild in western NC after Helene

BAT CAVE, N.C. (WNCN) — Tim McAfee is one of many volunteers hitting the streets of western North Carolina.

“We help people every day, but they have a home and usually mostly have water. Many of the people here don’t have those things,” he said.

McAfee works with a nonprofit called Servants in Pennsylvania. He says his mission and calling became apparent after talking to the pastor at Calvary Chapel near Bat Cave.

“He goes, ‘We need help,’ and God put it on our heart and some of the other volunteers to come. We just said, ‘Let’s go,'” said McAfee.

He says they loaded their disaster trucks and equipment and hit the road. Like many volunteers, they faced the tough reality of roadways along Highway 9 being partially washed away and others down to one line.

For these volunteers, it has been more than a mission to help clean up.

“It has been hard times. It has been hard hearing the stories because some family members are telling us their loved ones are dead,” McAfee said.

McAfee says they plan to keep coming back until the work is done.

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