Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - "The people we delivered stuff to in Kingsport, Tennessee were so grateful," Tim Berry of Williamsville told WBEN from North Carolina on Friday morning.
Berry and his friend Shawn McMahon, who both run Erie County Blotter, a social media site that reports on police and fire incidents around Erie County, took it upon themselves this week to help those in crisis in North Carolina after Hurricane Helene.
"As soon as they opened the trucks, everyone started crying," Berry said. "It was amazing. Our stuff has already been delivered into the mountains. It all went to a church and pack mules are taking it from there."
Berry and McMahon are making their way back to Western New York and have
already made a decision to do it again.
"We're doing another run. We're picking up a box truck from Penske and we're already accepting donations at three locations in Lockport, Cheektowaga and Williamsville."
They are planning to leave Western New York Tuesday (10/8) for a Wednesday (10/9) morning delivery.
"A group from the Angola Fire Department is coming with us along with a few other individuals with their own vehicles, so it sounds like this is going to turn into a big old convoy to help these people."
More info on how to help here.
Locations that are accepting donations:
Starting Saturday from 12 p.m.-to-9 p.m. ET:
200 Berkley Rd
Williamsville, N.Y. 14221
Currently taking donations
50 Meadowlawn Dr.
Cheektowaga, N.Y. 14225
Currently taking donations
6942 academy Ln.
Lockport, N.Y.
Elma/East Aurora
11046 Jamison Rd
East Aurora, N.Y.
Friday 12pm-5pm
Sunday 10am-3pm
Items can be left on the front porch
Angola Fire Dept Station #2.
160 South Main Street, Angola, N.Y.
They are also accepting Paypal donations HERE.
Here is their Amazon wish list.
Berry mentioned some of the physical items they are collecting in our interview this morning. See Erie County Blotter on Facebook for updated information about collection sites.
*Cold weather gear,
*blankets,
*sweatshirts,
*baby food,
*baby bottles,
*diapers,
*formula,
(anything and everything said Berry).
In addition, they are also collecting Benadryl and EpiPens. The flooding that followed Helene led to swarms of yellow jackets.
"The bees are attacking first responders, as well as people living in the area," explained Berry. "It's a desperate need so they can get relief from bee stings as well as other stinging and biting critters there."