Onslow community stepping up to help those impacted by Hurricane Matthew
Matthew made his approach just a week after Cook's husband, Dwight, passed away; and the task of repairing the damage from the storm was something she could not tackle on her own due to her health.
When she called for help Monday she was referred to the
"This means a lot," Cook said as the volunteers worked outside. "They just called (Tuesday) morning and I had no idea they'd be here this afternoon.
"I think my husband is looking out for me. I'm thankful for everyone."
Among the volunteers on hand were members of
"We all like volunteer hours and giving back to the community," Cpl.
"We didn't know what kind of calls we would get, so we reached out to the
The coordination of volunteers is one of two efforts underway by the local
Anyone wishing to help with tasks such as debris cleanup and minor home repairs can call 910-938-HELP(4357) or sign up to assist at volunteeronslow.org.
The
"The faster we can respond the better,"
Those who are not able to volunteer can also be a part of recovery efforts through a financial donation.
A disaster relief fund established after the tornadoes that hit
"One hundred percent goes to disaster relief services in the county," Wagner said.
And all of the funds stay local to help
"It's the only fund of its kind and stays within
Wagner stresses, however, that the
Rather, nonprofit organizations within the community that are vetted to ensure they meet fund guidelines are eligible to request grants through the fund to provide assistance to their clients who are seeking help to recover from the storm.
"We're not writing checks to individuals," Wagner said. "We're a clearinghouse for donations to provide disaster relief funds to agencies within the county that are helping to fill the gap to cover unmet needs."
Wagner said they have been contacting local organizations to make them aware of available resources and spreading the word about the fund's activation.
Eligible agencies can apply for funds by visiting uwonslow.org/disaster-relief-fund to register. Individuals interested in making a donation can text the words onslowdisaster to 91999 to make a tax deductible donation.
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