By Shea Wright

VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital is coordinating efforts with local community organizations to provide critical first aid supplies to those impacted by Hurricane Helene. Residents near the hospital are encouraged to pitch in to support recovery efforts in Southwest Virginia and Western North Carolina. 

"As a hospital deeply connected in our community, we know how important it is to step in when others need help,” said Sheldon Barr, president of VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital. “I am grateful for the unwavering commitment of our CMH team members, who quickly worked to locate and provide critical first aid supplies for those impacted by Hurricane Helene. They remind us of our mission to restore the health for all people of Virginia and beyond." 

Southside Rescue Squad, Inc. is working with VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital to collect basic household needs and first aid supplies for the town of Saltville’s fire department. (Contributed photo)

CMH donated surplus first aid supplies to Southside Rescue Squad, Inc., a local EMS response team that is delivering basic needs and supplies to the Saltville Volunteer Fire Department. South Hill residents interested in supporting these efforts can drop off donations at CMH. Items that are needed include water, hygiene products, clothing and items for babies and pets. Southside Rescue plans to make another trip to the town of Saltville at the end of the month.  

“We have been overwhelmed with the community support for this project as we have successfully donated over $10,000 in items to the Saltville Volunteer Fire Department that will be distributed to those in need,” Capt. Gavin Gwaltney of Southside Rescue said.  

VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital is coordinating efforts with several local organizations to deliver surplus first aid supplies to those impacted by Hurricane Helene in Virginia and North Carolina. This delivery, driven by Nick Brown, went to Temple Baptist Church in West Marion, North Carolina. (Shea Wright, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Additionally, CMH donated surplus first aid resources, such as gloves, alcohol wipes, and cleaning supplies to volunteer groups making trips to Temple Baptist Church in West Marion, North Carolina. These groups include the South Hill Longbeards chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Virginia Moose Association Antler Lodge #2726, as well as a host of other local businesses and churches.

“Since we put the word out that we were going to do something to help the people impacted by Helene, the response has been overwhelming. I’ve taken over 416 calls from people wanting to help,” said Nicholas Brown, president of South Hill Longbeards whose mother is a longtime CMH team member. “There’s just been a lot of support from the CMH community especially, and I’m just glad everybody opened their heart to do it.”

Volunteers from VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital and local organizations prep surplus supplies from CMH to be delivered to Western North Carolina.

From right to left: Nick Brown; National Wild Turkey Federation, Aaron Gill; CMH Supply Chain Operations Manager, JH McAden and Cindy King of Virginia Moose Association Antler Lodge #2726.
(Carrie Poythress, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

CMH encourages community members to come together during this challenging time. The hospital is accepting donations from the public to further assist in relief efforts. Donations of clothing, non-perishable food items, water, hygiene products, and baby and pet supplies can be dropped off at CMH’s CARE building lobby between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. through October 30, 2024.  

“The items from each shipment will only last so long. So, we want to do all that we can to help those in need, that’s the basis of what we do,” Gwaltney said.  

If you have any questions about what items to donate, please call (434)-447-3151 or email mikayla.barnes@vcuhealth.org.