Following Hurricane Helene’s devastating blow to western North Carolina and surrounding communities, Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring jumped into action to help. Over the past week, the site of the 2018 World Equestrian Games in the Blue Ridge Foothills has housed first responders, set up a donation drop-off, distributed badly-needed food and supplies, opened their restaurants for free meals (all-you-can-eat breakfast and lunch buffets), and even provided shower facilities.
Their drive-through Supply Distribution Center is open daily 10am-6pm through Sunday, October 6, although an extension may be announced based on community need. Free supplies are available to anyone who needs them, whether humans, pets or livestock. Part of the Polk County network of disaster relief locations, the distribution centre is staffed with volunteers and Tryon International team members.
Donations are being accepted between 10am-6pm at the distribution centre daily; the following supplies are needed:
- Water
- Batteries and flashlights/headlamps
- Animal hay and feed, shavings, pet food, and kitty litter
- Bread, peanut butter, and jelly Tums
- Non-perishable food items
- Gluten free and Celiac safe items
- Hygiene items
- Baby formula, baby food, and diapers
- Chainsaws
- Towels
- Socks and underwear
- First aid kits
- Portable chargers/battery packs
- Shovels and rakes, tarps, and work gloves
- Hand sanitizer
- Buckets and trash bags Charcoal and propane
- Coolers
- Generators
- Camping supplies
If you are unable to physically bring donations but are able to ship supplies to Tryon International for distribution, you can do so at this address:
Tryon International
Attn: Hurricane Donations
4066 Pea Ridge Road
Mill Spring, NC 28756
If you are interested in making a financial contribution to recovery efforts, you can send a cheque made out to the Green River Foundation and mail to the above address with “Hurricane Helene relief” in the memo. 100% of your donation will go to the relief efforts in Polk, Rutherford, Henderson and Buncombe Counties in North Carolina and Spartanburg County, South Carolina; TIEC is working with location agencies to effectuate that distribution.
For those wishing to make online donations, Tammy Tappan, who has an art gallery on site at TIEC, has combined efforts with a client to accept online donations via the Força Foundation – visit the link here.
Stay tuned for more updates as recovery and relief efforts continue.
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