Gallipolis Elks #107 Help North Carolina Elks With Hurricane Relief

From left: Gallipolis Elks members Kenny Caudill, Tim Wright, Chaplin Jonathon Elliott, ER Dan Bowman, Leading Knight Ron Pitchford and Shawna Pitchford at the Hendersonville Lodge #1616 relief area. 

Hurricane Helene continued its destructive path into North Carolina and caused all the flooding and damage in Asheville, NC, Leading Knight Ron Pitchford and his wife, Shawna, quickly put together a relief effort to help the people in that area.

They contacted Hendersonville, NC, Elks #1616 to coordinate the effort and to find out what items were needed. A staging area was established and requests were put on Facebook for relief items.

The public response was outstanding. Items were collected over a two-week period and filled three box vans and one semi-trailer. Numerous Lodge members donated their time to help with the collection of items such as food, water, tents, bedding, grills and charcoal, pots and pans, pet supplies, medicines, clothing, cleaning supplies and etc.

Numerous Gallia businesses donated equipment, services, pallets of water and food plus there were over 300 donations from the Gallia community. The fully loaded box vans were driven to Hendersonville Elks #1616 and the semi-trailer supplies were delivered to the Hendersonville Calvary Fellowship Church. The items were then loaded onto other vehicles for distribution.

A $2,500 check was presented to Hendersonville Lodge #1616 ER to help with their efforts to feed and support their community. The $2,500 check was comprised of contributions from the community, Gallipolis Elk members and the Lodge. All the donated items were accepted with an abundance of appreciation.