CCS helps eastern North Carolina neighbors…Students and Staff Organize Local Relief Efforts

LENOIR, NC (October 20, 2016)…The rebuilding has begun for ravaged parts of eastern North Carolina affected by the worst flooding since Hurricane Floyd in 1999 and while neighbors in the East are focused on restoring their lives, Caldwell County students are immersed in providing support.

Faculty, staff and students are organizing relief efforts for schools and families in these areas where rivers in North and South Carolina did not come out of the major flood stage until this week.

Collettsville School transported the first delivery of 18 boxes of toiletries, socks, t-shirts, Clorox wipes, paper towels, baby wipes, blankets, drink mix packets, and other items to Greenville, NC. 

“Efforts to help eastern NC victims of flooding have been amazing here at Collettsville,” said Kimberley Hindman, 8th grade math and science teacher. “Students in the 8th grade have been studying watersheds of NC, so they have been able to gain a greater understanding about the devastating effects that flooding can have on our NC river basins. When the hurricane hit last week, students saw in pictures and news stories the impact that water can have over an entire region.”

Hindman had previously taught school and lived in Greenville, NC, which is one of the flooded areas, and she was there during the aftermath of Hurricane Floyd. She said that many students she taught were affected in the worst way–losing their homes and all of their material possessions. 

“When I heard that Hurricane Matthew was expected to be as bad as Floyd, I contacted a former colleague who worked as a school counselor and asked what we could do to help,” said Hindman. “She sent me a list of items and in a little over a week, we collected a truckload of supplies that have been delivered to Greenville, NC.” 

Schools across the district are collecting goods and reaching out to assist. At South Caldwell High, two art teachers Jamie Stewart and Natalie Hayes, made contact with Edgecombe County School District in the flooded area and immediately responded to their needs. They have created flyers and invited other schools in the district to participate in the drive for basic supplies and donations.

“According to the school district, Edgecombe County had many students and their families who lost everything they had; one school was completely flooded. Still, hundreds of students and staff members have no home,” said Principal Chad Smith.

People in that area continue to request towels and washcloths. Other items being collected include school supplies, baby supplies, household items, and toiletries. South is also coordinating a raffle for a chance to win a Madison Bumgarner autographed ball, jersey or photograph. All proceeds go to the relief effort. Anyone in the community who would like to buy raffle tickets or make a donation is asked to deliver donations by October 28 to South Caldwell High School, Farm Bureau of Hudson or to the American Trade & Loan of Lenoir.

Students and parents of the Caldwell County Schools continue to bring in supplies and inquire about ways to help communities in eastern North Carolina.

“Collettsville School students stepped up in addressing a need by making posters, distributing flyers to be sent home, labeling collection boxes, organizing the collections, and donating items, an experience that extended beyond the classroom studies and taught them about compassion and giving – the qualities of good character,” said Principal Craig Styron.