NEWTON, Kan. (KSNW) — Thousands in the southeastern U.S. are still without power and water one week after Hurricane Helene dumped more than 40 trillion gallons of rain on the region.
A Newton mother is teaming up with a pastor in North Carolina to get crucial items to those who need them most.
“I just thought, ‘Well, we’re over here, and it’s perfect; how can I help?” Pickens said.
Pickens eventually reached pastor Darren Gibby of Restoration Church in Marion, North Carolina.
“We’ve been bringing in tractor-trailers of supplies, and Traylee, she called me and got through,” Gibby said.
Pickens says it takes about nine to 10 phone calls because Bibby will lose cell service.
“He was like, ‘Hey, you reached the right person!’ he said, ‘I am the hub to get supplies to the mountains,’ and I was like, ‘Perfect, pastor Darren. I have stuff for you. How do I get it to you?’
Pickens says, as a mother, she couldn’t imagine not having the necessary items for her kids.
“If I woke up today with four kids and I didn’t have diapers, and I didn’t have wipes, and I didn’t have water, I don’t know what I would do,” said Pickens. “I think that that’s the most important thing is that normal people are helping.”
Gibby says Pickens is a warrior.
“I hope I get to meet her through the process to see her face,” said Pastor Gibby.
He says that in the wake of Hurricane Helene, more services for his community are needed than ever.
“They’ve lost homes, lost vehicles, lost things that they’ve worked for all their life, and the cool part is to see humanity come together,” Gibby said.
If you would like to donate to help with Helene relief, click here.
