Columbus County Disaster Response in need of donations and volunteers

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (Press Release) — Columbus County Disaster Response, Inc., a local, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, non-profit organization founded in 2000, in response to the devastation caused in Columbus County, by Hurricane Floyd in September 1999, is seeking donations and volunteers to help victims of Hurricane Florence some 19 years later.

“What we learned from Hurricanes Floyd and Matthew is that recovery from the devastating effects of winds and flooding from a hurricane is long-term.,” said Kipling Godwin, current President and one of the founders of CCDR.  “It was more than seven years after Hurricane Floyd before recovery was complete,” he added.  Many local residents who were impacted by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 were still in recovery mode when Hurricane Florence hit causing the same or, in many cases, even worse damage.

Godwin said that a number of churches, nonprofits, businesses, corporations, and foundations have contributed to CCDR in the past for disaster relief.  100% of all donations are used to assist residents of Columbus County with Hurricane preparation and recovery efforts.

CCDR hosted the first-ever Hurricane Expo at the Columbus County Fairgrounds in mid-June 2018 with more than 200 attendees.  The group also launched a new website in conjunction with the Hurricane Expo that provides an online resource for disaster preparation and recovery topics.

In the wake of Hurricane Florence, CCDR is utilizing the website to receive online donations and to recruit volunteers to help with disaster relief efforts in Columbus County.  Individuals and organizations wishing to support CCDR’s work should visit the website at www.columbuscountydisasterresponse.org and click on “Donate” to make a tax-deductible donation using Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and Diners Club credit or debit cards.

To make a donation by check or money order, payable to Columbus County Disaster Response or CCDR, mail it to Columbus County Disaster Response, P.O. Box 1844, Whiteville, NC 28472.  Please do not send cash through the mail.  The organization also accepts prepaid Visa or Mastercard cards, gift cards from Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Walmart that can be used to purchase relief items for storm victims.  They can be mailed to the same address.

CCDR is currently not able to accept other in-kind donations, but recommends that anyone wishing to donate new or gently used (in working condition) furniture, appliances, household items, cleaning supplies, hygiene items, bottled water, and shelf-stable food items, contact a partnering local relief organization, Community CPR at (910) 207-6929, to arrange for such a donation.

To volunteer to assist with Hurricane Florence relief efforts in Columbus County, visit at www.columbuscountydisasterresponse.org and click on the “Volunteer” button on the main Home page.

For more information about Columbus County Disaster Response, you may contact Godwin at (910) 840-6743 or email columbuscountydisasterresponse@gmail.com.