HOW TO HELP: Donations needed as crews battle wildfires

As fatigued firefighters continue to work around the clock to keep the raging wildfires from spreading across the state, many have wondered how they can help.

In addition to supplies, the firefighters appreciate the letters of thanks they have received. If you would like to send letters, send them to Foothills Higher Education Center at 2128 South Sterling Street, Morganton NC, 28655.

Scroll below for more information.

Western North Carolina Firefighters Association (WNCFFA):

The organization has created the Western North Carolina Firefighter's Fund to accept corporate and community donations that will be used to supply grants to any western North Carolina fire department during the wildfire firefighting efforts.

Monetary donations can be sent to the following address:

Attention: Western North Carolina Firefighter's Fund
Skyland Fire and Rescue Department
P.O. Box 640
Skyland, NC 28776

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Clear Creek Fire in McDowell County:

McDowell County Rescue Squad

186 State St.
Marion, NC 28762
(828) 652-6033

Pleasant Gardens Baptist Church
214 P.G. Baptist Church Road
Marion NC 28752
(828) 803-4366

Suggested items are beef jerky, lip balm, eye wash, wool caps/toboggans, bandanas, protein bars, breakfast bars, boot socks, travel-size hand wipes, travel-size hand lotion, travel-size foot powder and hand warmers.

Rowan County:

• Rock Steady Rides in Salisbury
• SunTrust bank on Statesville Boulevard

Chestnut Knob Firefighter Donation Plan:

Due to the overwhelming community support that staff and firefighting personnel have received, officials are asking that donations be limited to only the following items:

• Beef jerky
• Wool caps/toboggans
• Bandanas
• Protein bars
• Breakfast bars
• Bottled water (16 oz.)
• Gatorade (12 oz. or 16 oz.)
• Socks
• Travel size hand wipes
• Travel size hand lotion
• Travel size Gold Bond foot powder
• Handwarmer gloves

Please deliver supplies to the incident command post at the Foothills Higher Education Center, 2128 South Sterling Street, Morganton N.C. in the southeast parking lot. Drop off hours are noon until 7 p.m. daily. For more information, call 828-764-9380.

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Charlotte:

If you’re looking to donate supplies, items needed are:

• Small bottles of the Ibuprofen
• Gold Bond powder
• Packs of cotton socks
• Energy bars
• AA and AAA batteries
• Chapstick/Lip balms
• Nose spray and Saline spray
• Small variety of toiletries

You can drop off items at McAlpine Elementary School at 9100 Carswell Lane in Charlotte where a drop box will be set up for items. The deadline for the items to be donated is Tuesday, Nov. 22.

Supplies can also be dropped off at Alter Imaging at 1900 South Blvd., Suite 304. Donation drop off times are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Items needed include lip balm, eye drops, nasal spray, non-perishable portable snacks like granola bars and nuts, non-cotton boot socks and laundry detergent free of dyes and perfumes.

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Concord

Speedway Harley-Davidson collecting until Nov. 22

11049 Weddington Rd., Concord

Supplies needed: Bottled water, protein bars, hard candy, foot powder, baby wipes, eye drops, chapstick, boot socks, saline nose spray, re-sealable bags, ibuprofen, Benadryl, packaged eating utensils, to-go boxes, large hand sanitizer, AAA batteries

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Lincoln County:

Fire crews said they need items like baby wipes, eye drops, lip balm and bottled water. You can drop off items at the Howard's Creek Fire Department in Lincolnton on N.C. 27 West.

City lunch in Lincolnton is also collecting items. City Lunch is located at 115 Court Square in Lincolnton (phone: 704-472-3994).

They will be accepting donations of bottled water, protein bars, Gatorade, chapstick and anything to help the firefighters battling the forest fires. They will be delivering the items Saturday.

Iron Station Thunder will be dropping them off. They, along with City Lunch will be accepting donations until Saturday.

The address for Iron Station Thunder is 124 East Water Street, Lincolnton N.C. 28092 (Phone: 704-735-0506).

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Connelly Springs:

George Hildebran Fire Station 73 at 7470 George Hildebran School Road. Please call: 828-874-4610.

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Catawba County:

Sherrills Ford-Terrell Fire Department is still taking donations. Their address is 4011 Slanting Bridge Road, Sherrills Ford, N.C. 28673 (phone: 828-478-2131)

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Western NC McDonald’s

From Nov. 19-30, restaurants in Hickory, Morganton, Valdese, Icard, Banner Elk, Newland, Conover, Lenoir and Granite Falls will support in the effort.

Requested items are energy bars, beef jerky, bandanas, socks (size medium), work boot socks (size large), travel size hand wipes and lotion, travel size Gold Bond foot powder, lip balm, wool caps/hats, 16 oz. Gatorade, work gloves and saline drops.

Cox Media Group