Hurricane Florence and the floods that followed have long since left our area, but recovery efforts continue.

The Kinston Area Recovery Efforts (KARE) organization has reached out to assist Jones County’s RISE (Recover, Improve, Support, Empower) organization, aiding residents who were heavily affected by the hurricane and its disastrous aftereffects. Through a joint agreement between the groups, KARE agreed to serve as a fiscal agent .

Rev. Vito Bisongo recently announced the arrangement.

“This means that KARE can receive donations that are tax-deductible for donors, which we will then transmit directly to the RISE office in Trenton,” he said. “A lot of our Lenoir neighbors have friends and relatives who live in Jones County, and we want to help.

“They had a rough ride with this storm (and) this is one way we can help them get a leg up on a major challenge.”

To those looking to assist Jones County, donations can be sent to 327 N. Queen St., Suite 109, Kinston, N.C. 28501. Checks must be made out to RISE.