CARES seeks help for shipment from Alleghany to West Virginia

By COBY LaRUE
Staff

They're making a list and checking it twice, but they don't plan to be anything but nice.

In this case, the Christmas spirit is being called upon a bit early in Alleghany County, as Alleghany CARES (Christian Associated Relief and Emergency Services) is gathering items for a shipment to a flood-ravaged portion of West Virginia.

"They need almost everything," CARES Chair Eva Rice said. Rice and her husband Wayne were busy Monday loading a few items on a trailer bound for Glen Daniels, W.Va., which is one of many towns that was nearly decimated by flooding. The town is located near Beckley. Articles will be distributed by Cornerstone Church Mission.

"Many of the people are living in campers that were brought in by FEMA and parked in a drive-in theater that had closed down," Eva Rice said. "They will have to start over completely. Some were living in rental property that may not even be restored so there is definitely a need."

CARES was alerted to the need by Marvie Shelor, who is a former resident of the area where the aid is going.

Loading up — Wayne and Eva Rice load items for the Alleghany CARES trailer that will be taken to West Virginia.

In order to offer aid, the group is asking local residents to contribute items that will be delivered there. While the last bout of flooding took place about six weeks ago, Rice said that the help is still very much needed.

"When things first happen these people get inundated with things and then that's it," she said. "The need is still there, maybe more than ever now."

Especially since the second wave of flooding washed away earlier donated items when a building they were stored in was destroyed. "It's just tragedy on top of tragedy," Rice noted.

Rice said that CARES is typically manned by volunteers from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday (volunteer hours do not necessarily match the thrift shops hours).

Get the rest of this article in this week's issue of the Alleghany News!

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