HOWARD CITY, Mich. —
More help is on the way from West Michigan to those affected by Hurricane Helene in the Carolinas.
Marcus Mooney, owner of Mooney’s Autobody Experts in Howard City, decided Sunday night to raise donations to fill his truck and trailer and head to the areas that need help the most. But after starting a GoFundMe, he realized more people in the community wanted to help than he anticipated.
“It's crazy. I never thought this,” Mooney said. “Never would have dreamed this. Honestly, I, like I said, just wanted to load up one trailer and head down there, and I plan on taking my wife and kids with me to just kind of have the kids experience that. But it's turned into a lot more than that.”
After three days he’s almost exceeded his $5,000 goal, which has now been extended. He is also pushing back his deadline for donations, too.
Partnering with Brad Peasley Trucking in Stanton, Mooney was able to get a semi-truck to increase the amount of supplies he was able to bring.
Mooney has been to Asheville before, but he doesn’t have strong ties to the area. He said he’s doing it to help others.
“I'm very active in, you know, making sure everybody is taken care of, and watching things go on across the country, and really helping out at home,” he said. “So, I was like, if this is something I can do, well, I'm definitely gonna do it.”
In-person donations are accepted at Mooney’s Autobody Experts in Howard City and virtually on GoFundMe.
A list of accepted items can be found below:
Sports drinks (powdered packets)
Hydration packs (powder form)
Baby wipes
Diapers (children and adults)
Baby formula
Bug spray
Sunscreen
Plastic utensils
Manual can openers
Trash bags (13-gallon or contractor bags)
Non-perishable foods
Cleaning supplies
Plastic sheeting/tarps
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Toiletries/sanitation items
Pet food (dog and cat)
Hand sanitizer
Sanitizer wipes
Feminine hygiene products
Heavy-duty work gloves
Socks – all sizes (unopened)
They cannot accept the following items:
Used clothes
Water (due to weight)
Hazmat
Most chemicals (including bleach)
Fuel
Flammable items