Disaster Relief for Lake Lure, North Carolina 10.11.2024

Disaster Relief for Lake Lure, North Carolina—Hurricane Helene’s path of devastation.
Press Release, October 4, 2024
Highlands, New Jersey 
 
Help the Survivors of Hurricane Helene! 
In the wake of the devastation from Hurricane Helene, we are urgently calling for assistance to support the communities that have lost everything. The hurricane has caused mass destruction, tremendous loss of life, displacing families, destroying homes, and leaving far too many without access to basic necessities like food, water electric and shelter.
As survivors ourselves, Highlands NJ, is a town that was devastated by Super Storm Sandy--12 years ago. So we know what these communities are enduring.  Remember our gratitude when others stepped up to help?  Please join us in wrapping our arms around Lake Lure, North Carolina. “We’ve been in their shoes, we know what it’s like to lose everything so let’s pull together and help those hurting.”
Lead by the efforts of the Highlands Volunteer First Aid, Fire Departments, Highlands Police Department and OEM, Rosemary Ryan (First Aid & Hope for Highlands President) is putting her experience and organization skills to work getting donations to aid our fellow Americans—many have lost everything.  Rosemary said, “I’ve been in contact with Tammy Tappan, a boots-on-the-ground volunteer in Lake Lure, that is assisting with the relief efforts. Many families are currently in shelters or makeshift accommodations, they need our help.” Highlands Police Chief, Rob Burton, has two trailers ready to haul to Lake Lure, we are asking for help to fill these trailers. Tammy has provided a list of what is needed most.
Adopt a Family—We have adopted a family from Tryon, North Carolina. The Kitchen Family of 10 have been displaced from their uninhabitable home and need our help.  Their eight children range from age 1 to 15. We have direct contact with a local non-profit, Força Foundation, who are helping this family find a temporary home.
Supplies- Urgently needed items include blankets, sweatshirts, toiletries, personal hygiene products, diapers, cleaning supplies, bottled water, non-perishable food, diapers, baby formula, flashlights, Batteries, battery packs. The local police in Lake Lure have been in contact with our Highlands officers and are allowing them to drive the trailers with the donations and supplies to help their residents, Currently, just residents are allowed into the town.
Gift Cards- Gift Cards can be dropped off at the Highlands Police Department.
Donations-Financial contributions designated to the Lake Lure Community to help provide emergency supplies, rebuild homes and critical support to families – donations can be made directly to:  https://givebutter.com/westernnc or text NCSTRONG to 53555.
Due to the generosity of the Montecalvo family, all monetary donations for this first wave of relief will be matched up to $50,000 through the philanthropy of the Montecalvo Family Foundation of Highlands—so every dollar collected during this first wave of will go to those who are homeless and seeking refuge from the upcoming colder temperatures. Valerie Montecalvo has said, “These are very resilient folks; but their loss is tremendous—we are all in this together and we can provide life-saving assistance to those who need it most.” 
Please consider helping this monumental effort – Donations of supplies listed above can be dropped off at Highlands Borough Police Department now until October 31st.
Should you have any questions or need your donation picked up, please contact Rosemary Ryan at the Highlands First Aid (732) 778-9267 or Cynthia Fair at the Montecalvo Family of Companies (732) 738-6000 ext. 214.  
The Montecalvo Family Foundation
A Philanthropic Foundation established for charitable purposes to donate to non-profits and other organizations that qualify as charitable exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code. The Foundation’s mission is for philanthropy to increase community involvement, healthcare, the arts, innovative recycling, renewable energies, education, sustainable living, organic agriculture, environmental stewardship, and animal welfare.
 
For information on this press release, please contact Cynthia Fair at cynthiaf@bayshorerecycling.com