CLICK TO HEAR JACK HALL’S INTERVIEW WITH PASTOR PAUL CULBERTSON
Two weeks, two devastating hurricanes.
That’s what the southern United States has faced , with Hurricanes Helene in late September, and Hurricane Milton this week.
While the nation’s focus right now is on Florida after Milton pummeled the Sunshine state, an Escanaba pastor is trying to make sure that small towns in the mountains of North Carolina are not forgotten.
Pastor Paul Culbertson at the Wellspring Community Church in Escanaba started a church in a small western North Carolina town and lived there for six years. And now, he’s trying to help the people there by collecting supplies and money to take South.
“We have a lot of good friends, and a lot of good roots there,” Culbertson told RRN News on Thursday afternoon. “Morganton is one of those communities that was hit pretty hard by the hurricane, and the communities near it up in the mountains were hit in such a deeper level.”
As of Thursday, officials in North Carolina said that 121 people are confirmed dead from Helene. There are still nearly 94,000 people without power, and many roads are still closed after being washed out by rivers that overflowed with torrential rain.
Another 100 people are still unaccounted for. Culbertson says it’s heartbreaking.
“We know that their need is so great, so if we can help some families to restart, rebuild, get some heat to people who need heat, and get them some necessities,” Culbertson said, “that’s really our only goal. To be a great part of humanity and help other people out.”
The Radio Results Network, with 15 radio stations that cover all or part of nine Upper Peninsula counties, is lending a hand to the effort. There will be live broadcasts all day next Tuesday, Oct. 15, at the Delta Plaza Mall, where Culbertson will be collecting as many items as possible (the list is posted below). He then plans to load everything into a couple of trailers and bring them to North Carolina next Wednesday.
“These people up in the mountains in western North Carolina never imagined that this would even happen there,” he said. “We’ll deliver these items to small communities in the mountains where there still is no power. We will deliver these items directly into the hands of those who need them.”
Culbertson says he’s already received a lot of donations, including some from people as far away as Marquette and Manistique. The list of needed items is posted below, and if you have any doubt, monetary donations are accepted and will be put into a special fund.
- Water – Clean, safe drinking water is critical in the aftermath of a hurricane.
- Trash Bags – Essential for cleanup and managing debris.
- Toilet Paper and Paper Towels – Everyday items that become precious in times of crisis.
- Non-Perishable Foods – Canned goods, protein bars, and other items that don’t require refrigeration or cooking.
- Women’s Hygiene Products – A vital need often overlooked in disaster relief.
- Diapers, Wipes, Bottles, and Formula – To support families with infants and small children.
- Dry Cat Food and Dry Dog Food – Let’s not forget the pets who are also affected.
- Personal Hygiene products. Shampoo, Conditioner, Deodorant, Toothpaste, Tooth Brushes, etc…
- Blankets, Towels, Socks, Underwear, Clothing (New)
- Benadryl, Tylenol, Ibuprofen, etc…
- Chemical sprayers to make showers with
You can make donations, too, at this link: https://www.wellspring906.com/hurricane-relief-up-2-nc
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