Communities gather donations to be sent to storm-ravaged western NC

SHALLOTTE, NC (WWAY) — As communities in western North Carolina face catastrophic storm damage, communities in the Cape Fear are collecting supplies for those in need.  

Dozens of donation drives have popped up locally as communities out west reel from the devastation. 

On Monday, the Shallotte Police Department partnered with Shallotte Electric Stores, and Carolina Creations to fill several trucks to be sent west. 

Throughout the day, car after car delivered supplies by the trunk load. 

Police Chief Adam Stanley said the response from the community has been overwhelming. 

“It is amazing the community support that we are seeing right now. I’m very humbled and honored to see our community stepping up to take care of others in the western part of the state,” Stanley said. 

Captain Timothy Daniels with NC Highway Patrol noted people here remember storms like Florence and Matthew, and the immense damage they caused. 

“We’re paying it forward because we have been in situations like this, and when we rang the bell, they stepped up to the challenge and they sent us things that we needed,” Daniels said. 

A sentiment shared by the ‘Cape Fear Karate Kid’ Shelby Milliken, who’s family operates Shallotte Electric. 

“Now is our time to take action and be a warrior to the families of western North Carolina,” Milliken said. 

Operations Manager Chad Crabtree noted this isn’t the first time Shallotte Electric has taken action to help those in need. 

“We actually will jump in the community anytime there is a hurricane, tornado action,” Crabtree explained. 

Milliken calling others to take action as well. 

“Remember everyone who’s watching this, this could have been us, so it’s very important. No donation is too small,” Milliken said. 

For a list of local donation drop off locations, you can see our previous story.