Mark Shaffer

Ironton Tribune

 

The Ironton firefighters are collecting items to send to help those in need in North Carolina and Tennessee after Hurricane Helene devastated much of the state last week.

Zack Kriebel, president of Ironton Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 532, said they have been getting a lot of donations since they posted on Facebook on Thursday night.

“We’ve gotten a lot at the fire stations already,” he said. “But there is a lot of need in North Carolina right now.”

He said he decided to start taking donations after seeing the news and the other firefighters were ready to help with the collection.

The items they need for donations fall into three categories:

• Urgent needs: Baby wipes, diapers in all sizes, baby formula (pre-made preferred), sippy cups, baby bottles, baby food in jars, baby Tylenol, feminine hygiene products and adult diapers. Any baby products.
• Non-perishable needs: Protein bars, water, sports drinks, pet food, crackers, tuna packets, plastic plates, plastic utensils, instant coffee, powdered milk, toothbrushes and toothpaste.
• Additional needs: Batteries in all sizes, hand sanitizer and flashlights.

They are collecting donations until Tuesday, Oct. 15.

“Then we will be taking everything down there to the North Carolina and Tennessee area,” Kriebel said, adding that they will decide where exactly to take it after they have gathered up all the donations. “I haven’t got that exact information yet. As you know, cell phone service is down in a lot of places, so communication back and forth is slow right now.”

Kriebel said they felt compelled to help out our neighbors to the south because they love giving back to communities in our area and Appalachia.

“Seeing everything on the news, we felt we had to help out the area,” Kriebel said. “When we had the storm come through her in the spring, it could have been us that needed help and been in a situation like this and we would have wanted them helping us. We are all in this together.”

Donations can be dropped off at the Ironton Fire Station, which is located at 526 S. Fourth St.

Just ring the door bell and someone will come out to help carry donations into the station.