Several groups in Sanford and Lee County are stepping up to gather and deliver aid to communities in western North Carolina facing devastation from Hurricane Helene.

The Visit Sanford Welcome Center at 229 Carthage St. is serving as a donation point and will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays to collect items for as long as necessary. Visit Sanford is joined by Downtown Sanford Inc., Carolina Commercial Contractors, and Sanford Contractors in leading the effort.

Other drop off locations include:

  • First Baptist Church, 202 Summit Drive, from 8 to 11 a.m. daily,
  • Deep River Sporting Clays and Shooting School, 284 Cletus Hall Road, daily during business hours,
  • Broadway Town Hall, 130 N. Main St. in Broadway, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
  • Wilkinson Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, GMC, 3335 N.C. 87 South (Coordinated by Wilkinson Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, GMC), weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Central Carolina Community College – Marchant Hall, 1105 Kelly Drive, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Sanford Municipal Center, 225 Weatherspoon St., October 1 during National Night Out Event

Needed items include bottled water, gallons of water, powdered sports drink packets, baby wipes, diapers for children and adults, baby formula, bug spray, sunscreen, plastic utensils, manual can openers, trash bags, non-perishable foods, cleaning supplies, plastic sheeting/tarps, toothbrushes, toothpaste, toiletries/sanitation items, pet food for dogs and cats, hand sanitizer and wipes, heavy duty work gloves, and unopened socks of all sizes.

The Visit Sanford Welcome Center cannot accept monetary donations but recommends making relief donations to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund. For more
information, call 919-718-4659.

Volunteers are also needed at the Visit Sanford Welcome Center on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact the Sanford Area Growth Alliance at frontdesk@growsanfordnc.com or call 919-775-7341 ext. 1507 to reserve a time.