Southside Rescue Squad, Inc. is working with VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital to collect basic household needs and first aid supplies for the town of Saltville’s fire department.

By: Maria-Paula
VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital has joined local community organizations in the major affected areas in Virginia, including Richmond, Hampton Roads, Northern Virginia, and Southwest Virginia, to help Hurricane Helene victims left with a significant negative impact. 

The VCU Health CMH president Sheldon Barr mentioned how deeply the hospital is connected to the surrounding community, reiterating the importance of stepping in and helping whenever need arises.

With approximately 784,000 homes and businesses in different st, tes including VA affected with power outages, the slow electricity restoration due to extensive damage has left many in a dire situation. 

As the hospital cushions communities recovery after Hurricane Helene, residents near the hospital are encouraged to pitch in to support recovery efforts in the area. The lack of basic supplies like food and water has seen the government, emergency services, and relief organizations join hands in setting up distribution centers to ensure victims are taken care of.

Important supplies not limited to clothing, surplus first aid supplies like gloves, hygiene and cleaning products like alcohol wipes, baby products and pet products are some of the necessities CMH donated to a local EMS response team, Southside Rescue Squad, Inc. The Saltville Volunteer Fire Department, in turn, received the basic needs and supplies from Southside Rescue for distribution to the locals. 

“I am grateful for the unwavering commitment of our CMH team members, who quickly worked to locate and provide critical first aid supplies for those impacted by Hurricane Helene. They remind us of our mission to restore the health for all people of Virginia and beyond,” Barr said.

With plans to make another trip to the town of Saltville at the end of the month, Capt. Gavin Gwaltney of Southside Rescue said the Hurricane Helene support offered by the community was overwhelming. Gwaltney mentioned that the project had successfully donated over $10,000 in items to the Saltville Volunteer Fire Department that will be distributed to those in need. 

“The items from each shipment will only last so long. So, we want to do all that we can to help those in need,that’s the basis of what we do,” Gwaltney added.

Some of the volunteer groups involved and making trips to Temple Baptist Church in West Marion, North Carolina include the South Hill Longbeards chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Virginia Moose Association Antler Lodge #2726, together with a host of other local businesses and churches. 

“Since we put the word out that we were going to do something to help the people impacted by Helene, the response has been overwhelming. I’ve taken over 416 calls from people wanting to help,” said Nicholas Brown, president of South Hill Longbeards, whose mother is a longtime CMH team member. “There’s just been a lot of support from the CMH community, especially, and I’m just glad everybody opened their heart to do it.” 

The hospital is accepting donations from the public to further assist in relief efforts as it encourages community members to come together during this challenging time. 

President Joe Biden has assured the affected of the government’s concerted efforts to support both the federal and state governments involved in the relief efforts. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, is also on ground by assessing the extent of Helene damages and ensuring coordination of aid from the government for both recovery and rebuilding for return to normalcy as soon as possible. 

Donations can be dropped off at CMH’s CARE building lobby between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. until October 30, 2024. 
For any questions and/or concerns regarding the Hurricane Helene project, please call (434) 447-3151 or email mikayla.barnes@vcuhealth.org.