Minnesota Aid to Appalachia!

By Theodore Clemens

Minneapolis, Minnesota

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, our fellow Americans across half a dozen states to the Southeast are in dire straits. I'm sure you've all seen the photos, videos, and harrowing stories of survival that are even now unfolding. This past week has been the worst days of their lives. And heartbreakingly, the last days of many lives. Entire communities have been displaced, many homes destroyed. Infrastructure is in shambles. Hundreds of communities entirely cut off from support. Basic necessities like water, food, and medicine are desperately needed. Teams are working around the clock to locate and evacuate survivors, many of these teams are average people just like you and me, desiring to make a difference.

My aim is to get involved with other Minnesotans, and all who want to contribute, to offer supplies and service. Delivering boots on the ground as an ongoing mission of donation and supply collection through the month of October. Showing our fellow Americans we haven't forgotten them in their time of need!

That being said, the amount of trees and debris that have choked routes to communities, stifling attempts at aid, is staggering. I will personally be traveling down after purchasing chainsaws and equipment to remove treefall from roads, and homes. As well as being self sufficient while in the area as to not strain local emergency resources. My sincere hope is to find aid in this endeavor.

All funds will be accounted for! They will be spent on supplies delivered by hand to aid workers and those in need. Any remaining funds will be donated in person, in cash (banks in the area have closed!), to vetted local organizations, or specific persons of your choice should it be possible to reach them.

Physical donations can be coordinated with me personally, although space will currently be limited as I have only the solo pickup truck full of gear at this time.

Responders are asking for a host of items, including, but not limited to:

- Chainsaws

- Gas

- New Gas Cans

- 2-Stroke Oil Mix

- Bars and Bar Oil

- Chains (20in being commonly used)

- Chain Sharpening Sets

- Protective Chainsaw Chaps

- Heavy Duty Leather Gloves

- Shovels

- Batteries (AA/AAA/D)

- Propane, small 1lb and large 20lbs tanks

- Tarps

- Bleach

- Contractor Bags

- PPE of every conceivable kind (toxic mud is eating through the boots of responders. Corrosive chemicals have spilled into waterways, mingling with the mud, causing extremely hazardous working environments. Also decay, many lives have been lost, human and animal alike)

Food + Water

- Canned Goods

- Manual Can Openers

- Foods that do not require refrigeration

- Cases of water (many places have no running water, or contaminated water sources)

- Pet food and pet supplies!

Personal Hygiene Products and Medical

- Feminine products

- Diapers

- Benadryl

- Kids Benadryl (poison ivy is prevalent in Western North Carolina, along with wasps and mosquitoes having much greater access to people!)

- First Aid Kits

- Rubbing Alcohol

While this list is by no means exhaustive, it does imply the spectacularly broad range of needs. People's entire lives have been swept away. Please share!