Lenoir County officials announced that a trailer filled with donated supplies and other items, collected over several weeks at two local convenience sites, will be sent to communities in western North Carolina early Tuesday morning, with the materials — including diapers, cases of water and other needed goods — coordinated by various county departments and delivered to Statesville by Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office Dep. Don Crawford.

The donations have been collected over several weeks at sites throughout Lenoir County. The materials are intended for western North Carolina residents who experienced hardship following Hurricane Helene. Local authorities noted that the effort involved cooperation across various county departments, including Lenoir County Maintenance staff and the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office.

Lenoir County Commissioner Linda Rouse Sutton and other county officials, including Sheriff Jackie Rogers, County Manager Michael James, and Assistant Manager Adam Short, are expected to be present. Sutton said the donations are meant to provide assistance as the holiday season approaches.

“We are just very honored and humbled and excited that our citizens and that our Sheriff’s Department worked together to send this load of items that will be like Christmas for them to be seen,” Sutton said. “We just can’t forget those people. There’s still so much going on. I think about people, elderly and kids, sleeping in tents on the ground with snow in the winter.”

She also addressed the prolonged recovery period for many who live in affected areas. Sutton stated that some individuals have been unable to return to a normal routine due to a lack of infrastructure and limited resources.

“We have a lot to be thankful for,” she said. “I don’t know of anybody that’s had to face what they’ve had to face when infrastructure, and you know, accessibility is gone. You can’t go to town and get something because there’s not a town there in some places.”

County officials said they appreciate the response from the community. Sutton noted that western North Carolinians had provided aid to Lenoir County during past challenges. She emphasized the importance of reciprocating that support.

“You know, they said we just wanted to help, so you know, it’s time for us to show up and show out,” Sutton said.