Amid devastating scenes emerging from North Carolina, an effort spearheaded by local residents Jeff Aster and his wife Wendy is underway to support North Carolina communities battered by Hurricane Helene.

Moved by the widespread damage, the couple, who own a small security business in Lehigh Township, swiftly organized a donation drive in Walnutport to gather essential supplies for affected families.

“We were watching the videos coming out of North Carolina, and no one really anticipated how bad it would get, especially in the mountainous areas,” Jeff Aster explained.

Heavy rains and strong winds severely impacted these regions, leaving many unprepared for the destruction.

“We made a very quick decision to cancel our vacation, rent a truck, and do what we could,” Jeff said, adding that within 48 hours, they had set the entire operation in motion.

With assistance from the Walnutport Seventh-day Adventist Church on Willow Road, which offered its space for collection efforts and a $500 contribution, Aster and his team have been working to gather items and plan to continue accepting donations until Sunday evening.

“We’ll be here through Sunday each day from 8:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.,” he said. The Asters plan to leave for North Carolina at midnight Sunday into Monday, heading to either Boone or Asheville, N.C., depending on evolving needs in the area.

The collection drive, organized in partnership with the Cajun Navy Relief — a volunteer group known for its relief efforts dating back to Hurricane Katrina — has been focused on essential items.

“Right now, we’re looking for bottled water, baby diapers, fuel cans for generators, and winter clothing,” Jeff said.

The upcoming cold weather in the mountains has compounded the challenges for families, many of whom have lost their homes and have no access to heating. “People down there are really worried about exposure,” he added.

Reflecting on the drive’s purpose, Jeff emphasized the simplicity of the needs.

“If you’re sitting in your house thinking about what you need to survive, that’s exactly what they need too,” he said. “They have absolutely nothing left.”

As he prepares for the journey to North Carolina, Aster anticipates spending about 48 hours on the ground, helping with unloading the supplies and assisting wherever else they are needed. The area he is heading to has been hard hit, with local infrastructure strained as recovery efforts slowly take shape.

“We’ll know exactly where we’re going by Saturday afternoon, and then we’ll head out,” he said.

The hurricane that devastated parts of North Carolina left tens of thousands without power, caused severe flooding, and destroyed homes and businesses.

The mountainous areas, which were not initially expected to bear the brunt of the storm, were particularly affected due to the unexpected volume of rain. The state has been grappling with power outages, road closures, and a lack of access to basic necessities, prompting widespread relief efforts from both government agencies and grassroots organizations.

For the Asters, the decision to get involved was a personal one.

“We just wanted to help out in any way we could, even if it’s in a small way,” Jeff said.