HICKORY, N.C. — Recovery efforts in western North Carolina continue in the wake of the destruction wrought by Helene. Among those stepping up are everyday neighbors who just want to get those necessities to those in need.
Among those pitching in is Lu Juarez, who works at Northwest ACE in Hickory. He showed WCNC Charlotte a look inside the store on Tuesday. Some of the shelves were bare, but Juarez said they're still doing what they can.
"On a day-by-day basis, we're bringing in a bunch of emergency supplies," he said. "Generators, batteries, gas cans, lamps, you name it."
Ashley Henderson is taking some of those supplies out to the town of Fletcher. For her, it's personal.
"I have been told by family up there that they are running out of water," she said, "they're not able to get things."
Henderson showed WCNC Charlotte her pickup truck bed stocked with cases of water, fuel cans, and more supplies she's taking to the area. She had a simple message for anyone asking what they can give.
"Anything helps," she said. "Even if it's just a case of water, it could mean life or death for someone that's up there."
Contact Myles Harris at mharris5@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.