HURLOCK, MD - Residents of Dorchester County and across Maryland's Eastern Shore are mobilizing to provide urgent aid to areas devastated by Hurricane Helene. A truck loaded with supplies will soon be dispatched to the Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina, where small aircraft are being used to deliver relief past damaged infrastructure.
The Eastern Shore Hurricane Relief Committee has partnered with Hurricane Helene Airlift Relief, an organization using helicopters and private planes to bypass road and bridge collapses caused by the hurricane. Local business Koski Trucking has generously donated a truck and driver to transport the supplies to the staging area at the airport.
Two local collection points have been set up for donations. Residents are encouraged to drop off items on Tuesday, Oct. 1, between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. at Koski Trucking, located at 4810 Williamsburg Rd, Hurlock, MD. Donations will also be accepted from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at American Legion Post 91, 98 Sunburst Highway, Cambridge, MD.
Volunteers are needed for the evening drop-off in Cambridge. The committee is asking individuals and organizations willing to assist to reach out via email to easternshorehurricanerelief@gmail.com.
Because of the urgent needs and logistical constraints, the committee has provided a list of items that can be accepted at this time. These include essentials like bottled water, non-perishable food, diapers, baby formula, toiletries, and cleaning supplies. A full list of needed items can be found below.
Items urgently needed:
- Powdered sports drinks
- Hydration packs
- Baby wipes, diapers (children and adult, all sizes)
- Baby formula
- Bug spray
- Plastic utensils, manual can openers
- Trash bags, plastic sheets, and tarps
- Toothbrushes, toothpaste, feminine care products
- Pet food (dog and cat)
- Hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes
- Heavy-duty work gloves, socks (new and unopened)
- Batteries, water
CANNOT accept the following:
Clothing
Hazardous materials
Most chemicals (no bleach)
Fuel
Flammable items
As the community pulls together, organizers are urging everyone to share the call for donations and volunteers to help those impacted by Hurricane Helene. For more information, contact Mike Detmer at 443-205-0193 or email michael.w.detmer@gmail.com.
Contact for Donations/Volunteers: easternshorehurricanerelief@gmail.com
More information will be posted to this article throughout the day.
