10/18/2024
Dear Friends, Family, and Community,
I would like to take a moment to sincerely thank each and every one of you who has generously donated to our cause. Your support has made a significant impact, allowing us to serve over 36 individuals and 14 families who are struggling in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Each contribution—whether it’s food, supplies, or financial assistance—brings us closer to providing the essential care these families urgently need as they arrive at the Grand View Lodge, directly from FEMA and local Haywood Regional Medical Centers.
In the aftermath of this disaster, we are dedicated to creating a safe and welcoming environment for families who have lost so much. Our initiatives include assembling care packages filled with hygiene products, non-perishable food items, comfort kits, children's toys, and essential household supplies. While we can currently provide only temporary housing arrangements for these families, we are committed to offering crucial personal care items that will help these families regain a sense of normalcy during this difficult period.
As we continue to welcome new families each week, we recognize that our work is far from over. To address the ongoing needs of our community as a whole, we have begun to broaden our outreach efforts. We are actively distributing to local neighborhoods to ensure that all families affected by this crisis have access to the support they need, especially as other distribution centers begin to wind down their operations.
We are dedicated to serving the entire local community, and your continued support is crucial in helping us achieve this goal. Together, we can empower these families and restore hope as they navigate this challenging journey.
Here’s how you can help ➡️
‼️We urgently need donations of the following:
- Sleeping: Twin air mattresses, cots
- Clothing: We are no longer accepting any used clothing. We are seeking donations for new clothing items like jackets, hats, gloves, scarves, and other clothing items as we prepare to help as the weather gets colder.
- Personal Care: Hygiene products
- Food: Non-perishable items, snacks, and breakfast items (cereal, milk, fruits) as well as ingredients for community meals.
- Comfort Items: For both children and adults - blankets, stuffed animals, toys, etc.
📍Drop-off Location:
Grand View Lodge
466 Lickstone Rd.
Waynesville, NC 28786
🚗 If you can’t drop off items, don’t worry! We are happy to arrange for pickup if you're local to Waynesville.
For those who are not nearby or unable to travel, there are still ways to support this effort ➡️
🛍️ Walmart Pickup: (list updated daily)
We’ve set up a registry for Walmart Pickup in Waynesville. You can find the list and order through this link: https://www.walmart.com/registry/er/59ed9ed6-faa0-4222-97f9-fd879b275645
Primary Pickup Contact: Lauren Merrell
Secondary Pickup Contact: Breanna Delannoy
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 828-707-3427
If you place an order, please share the order number with me so we can coordinate pickup. We are flexible with pickup times to accommodate your schedule.
📦 Shipping Options:
For those who prefer to ship items, please consider using USPS, UPS, or FedEx, as we’ve encountered some delivery challenges with Amazon.
🫶🏻 Monetary Donations:
If you’d prefer to contribute financially, I can purchase the items on your behalf. You’ll receive a receipt for your donation within a week.
Here’s my Venmo link: https://venmo.com/u/navigatingnirvana
Your continued support is vital to help us meet these growing needs. Every single contribution, no matter the size, can make a profound difference in the lives of those who are struggling in our community. Thank you for considering this heartfelt call for help! Together, we can show our community that in unity, we can rise above adversity.
If you have any questions or just want to connect, please feel free to reach out via text or call at 828-707-3427.
With love and gratitude,
Lauren
Jeffrey Delannoy Breanna Elise
