❤️ #MomentsOfHope: BCS students continue to help their neighbors during the Hurricane Helene recovery.
On Wednesday, T.C. Roberson High School seniors Gabriel Lefevre and Ryan Zapherson joined dozens of other volunteers at the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County’s warehouse in Arden. They methodically sorted through a mountain of donations from North Carolina and all over the country. They organized water, non-perishable food, toiletries, and other supplies onto separate tables, loaded the donations into boxes of similar items, and prepared pallets for shipment to areas of critical need.
“A lot of people had it way worse than me and my community, so I wanted to give back and make a positive difference,” Zapherson said.
He and Gabriel focused on moving supplies around with a pallet jack and checking inventory to keep the supplies flowing smoothly.
“I’d feel guilty staying at home when I could be helping,” Lefevre said. “It feels like the right thing to do.”
Some of the supplies coming into the warehouse will end up at donation pickup sites hosted by Buncombe County Community Schools, said United Way Volunteer Engagement Director Denise Gonzalez. The warehouse has plenty of bottled water as of Oct. 9, but there is a need for more non-perishable food and cleaning supplies.
“The community’s response has been incredible,” Gonzalez said. “A lot of people have been returning. They feel that this warehouse is running smoothly, and that it’s a good place to make a difference.”
Those wishing to volunteer can check handsonasheville.org for a list of opportunities across the city and county.
“If you are able to, please help your neighbors,” Lefevre said. “It doesn’t have to be at an organization. It can be your family or someone down the street. Just help somebody out when you see there’s a need.”