Upstate donations to N.C.: 7News covers relief efforts

GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – Residents in the Upstate have been donating dozens of items, including food, water and other necessities, to victims of Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina.

Volunteers in the Upstate have been working effortlessly to gather and airlift generous amounts of donations.

“It is a community joining together to lend a helping hand to others in need and that is amazing,” Robert Hoover, Public Information Officer with the Greenville Downtown Airport, said.

It’s an effort created by Isaiah and Lori Burch with Happy Helicopter Tours. They said the donations have been a blessing.

“I can’t even put it into words,” Isaiah Burch said. “I mean the Greenville community, I have never lived in a place like this in my life. When you see people bringing goods and supplies that don’t have enough themselves, or their power is still out, or they didn’t know if they would have enough gas to get here to donate; it is very very moving.”

Truck loads of items have pulled out of the Greenville Downtown Airport parking lot and upon thousands of items have flown out this week.

7NEWS flew with Preston Macy, a pilot with Special Services who took more than 3,000 pounds of goods in just a few trips.

“We have been able to carry about 1000 pounds of relief supplies per load,” Macy said. “We have done 2 loads so far about to do our third.”

The community’s support and dedication to serving each other has been overwhelming for many.

“Seeing that kind of effort and love is something I am just never going to forget,” Burch said.

Pilots and volunteers said they will continue to help send supplies for as long as they are needed.

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