Local relief groups helps build shelters for Helene victims, with winter on the way

On Saturday in Moore County, the air smelled of barbeque and saws buzzed in the air as crowds of volunteers came together to help turn sheds into shelters for those affected by Hurricane Helene.

Helene ripped through western North Carolina on Sept. 27 after making landfall the day before in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane. 102 people died in North Carolina as a result of Helene, and hundreds more lost their homes and possessions from the storm’s flood waters.

The event was called the “Raise the Roof Fundraiser,” and its goal was to provide as many insulated, roofed sheds as possible to provide safer, warmer shelters for those in need.

“They’re going to be living quarters for people that have lost their homes in western North Carolina,” said Brian Kennedy of Squared Away Licensed Home Inspections, the group that organized the event.

The sheds are 10 feet by 16 feet and are ready to ship with generators and heaters, which will be much needed as western North Carolina prepares for the coldest time of the year.

The group is aiming to build as many as 50 sheds to ship

“The goal was to put at least two people in it,” Kennedy said. “It could fit a family of four. It’d be tight, but the goal is to get them out of tents, off of the ground, out of the weather and keep them cool and dry.”

Casey Burton, also with Squared Away, said more than 40 local businesses were involved the with project, which was backed by thousands of dollars in donations.

“Just remember that they’re our neighbors, they’re in western North Carolina and they need us,” Burton said.

It was a personal cause for many helping out, including volunteer Danny Marks.

“My feet today are in the Moore County fairgrounds, but my heart is still in western North Carolina,” Marks said.