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In the wake of Hurricane Helene, members of the Valley community have formed an effort to collect supplies for disaster relief thanks to the Chattahoochee Valley Church Network. The CVCN, a nondenominational network of churches and pastors, is mobilizing a 53-foot tractor-trailer full of cleaning and disinfectant supplies to transport to hurricane-affected areas like Tennessee and Florida. 

The tropical storm which turned into a category three hurricane last week took a favorable turn away from the Valley and Troup County area, leaving little damage in its wake for the community. However, other communities in North Carolina and Tennessee were not as lucky. 

As folks are regrouping and gathering what they can find left after the storm, what they will need most of all is disinfecting and cleaning supplies, said Reverend Don Downs with the East Liberty Baptist Association. 

Downs, along with several other local ministry leaders decided to appeal to their community for help with a list of such products on Monday. In only one day, the CVNC has already begun receiving donations. Downs said that the top priority right now is on disinfectant supplies for cleaning whatever can be salvaged.

“These people are going to find, if they find their homes if they find their belongings, that it’s filled with nastiness,” Downs said, “And so they’re going to need to start cleaning things.”

Items like soap, laundry detergent, work gloves and bleach will be helpful commodities. Even pet food, Downs said, is going to be in high demand as much of that will likely be contaminated. A list of supplies is circulating on social media, however, Downs reminded that clothing is not among them.

“Most people don’t have a place to stay, much less to put clothing,” he said, adding that they will not accept clothing donations.

The drop-off site is at the Valley Sportsplex. Downs said there have already been several donations.

“People are bringing items already, and so we have a 53-foot trailer that we’re trying to fill up to take to either East Tennessee, Western North Florida, or even northeastern Georgia, places that were affected by the hurricane and the water, the flooding,” he said. 

Anyone interested can also make a monetary donation through the Red Cross, Langdale Methodist Church or East Liberty Baptist Association. Downs said that 100 percent of the funds donated will go toward disaster relief. 

Downs said they are also looking for more people to volunteer to help sort and load the supplies.