Highlands, knowing from personal experience the immediate needs and utter devastation of families in the wake of horrific hurricanes, is pooling efforts and calling on volunteers and donors to bring disaster relief to Lake Lure, North Carolina, and the family of ten the borough is adopting to ensure immediate assistance.
First to step up to the plate with huge enthusiasm and financial assistance is the Montecalvo Family Foundation. That generous family is matching all monetary donations for this first wave of relief up to $50,000 through their Foundation so every dollar collected during this first wave of assistance will go to those who are homeless and seeking refuge from the upcoming colder temperatures.
Highlands Police Chief Rob Burton has two trailers ready to haul to Lake Lure, once they’re filled and here is where everyone can do something as well. Tammy Tappan, a volunteer in Lake Lure has provided a list of what is needed most.
The Lake Lure police have been in contact with Chief Burton and are allowing them to drive the trailers with donations and supplies to help their residents even when town access is still only permitted for residents. Gift Cards can be dropped off at the Highlands Police Department. Financial contributions designated to the Lake Lure Community to help provide emergency supplies, rebuild homes and critical support to families can be made directly to: https://givebutter.com/westernnc or text NCSTRONG to 53555.
The borough has adopted the Kitchen family from Tryon, North Carolina, parents and eight children ranging in age from 1 to 15 who have been displaced. The borough has direct contact with a local non-profit, Força Foundation in helping this family find a temporary home. –
All these coordinated efforts are being led by the Highlands Volunteer First Aid, Fire Departments, Highlands Police Department and OEM and Rosemary Ryan of the First Aid and Hope for Highlands President who is putting her experience and organization skills to work getting donations and aid. Rosemary said, “I’ve been in contact with Tammy Tappan, the boots-on-the-ground volunteer in Lake Lure, who is assisting with the relief efforts. Many families are currently in shelters or makeshift accommodations, they need our help.” Some of the most critical needs, she said, are for blankets, sweatshirts, toiletries, personal hygiene products, diapers, cleaning supplies, bottled water, non-perishable food, diapers, baby formula, flashlights, batteries and battery packs.
In inviting everyone in the borough to help neighbors in North Carolina facing so much loss, Mayor Carolyn Broullon said “as survivors ourselves, remember how Highlands was devastated by Super Storm Sandy–12 years ago, we know what these communities are enduring. Remember our gratitude when others stepped up to help? Please join us wrapping our arms around Lake Lure, North Carolina. “We’ve been in their shoes; we know what it’s like to lose everything so let’s pull together and help those hurting.”
Valerie Montecalvo of her Family Foundation, in inviting everyone to participate in the borough’s aid, said, “These are very resilient folks; but their loss is tremendous—we are all in this together and we can provide life-saving assistance to those who need it most.”
Donations of supplies can be dropped off at Highlands Borough Police Department now until October 15. For questions or a need to pick up donation, contact Rosemary Ryan at the Highlands First Aid (732) 778-9267 or Cynthia Fair at the Montecalvo Family of Companies (732) 738-6000 ext. 214. For further information on the Montecalvo Family Foundation contact Cynthia Fair at cynthiaf@bayshorerecycling.com
