EAST LYME, Conn. — As the Sunshine State braces for another storm, many are still recovering from Hurricane Helene.
In southeastern Connecticut, local businesses are teaming up to support people still struggling in North Carolina.
Those efforts include Ron’s Guns in East Lyme, which has been accepting donations since the weekend, already filling up one tractor trailer to the brim.
“It’s unbelievable, it really is,” said Ed Rando, owner of Northeast Financial Group and Ron’s Guns.
Rando first put the call out on social media, asking people to answer the call for help from impacted areas.
“We put a post out there and said, ‘Hey bring it. Just bring it. Help us. Forget about the politics. We’re people helping people,’ And that was really it, and you can see they’re still showing up,” Rando said.
Rando is working alongside a whole team of businesses, coming together to fill about a handful of tractor trailers to be sent directly to North Carolina.
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That team includes Ron’s Guns (hub for donations) and Northeast Financial Group, PureOne Services Connecticut, D.W. Transport, Groton Bowling Center (hub for donations), Filomena’s, Critical Signs and Critical Screen Printing, among others.
This, after those involved had ties to the community and continued to hear about how great the need is in North Carolina.
“They’re just waiting. She said whatever you send, we need. She said you can’t even imagine. Just imagine waking up tomorrow morning, and have everything gone,” Rando said.
Since spreading the word about the drive, Rando said the donations from the community have been pouring in. The trailers are being filled with everything from bottled water to cat food to canned goods.
“This was definitely needed,” said Lucille Vassallo, who stopped by Ron’s Guns to drop off a donation Tuesday. “I said, 'You know, we have the funds. Let’s share a little bit.’”
A small gesture those involved want to bring hope amidst the devastation.
“It’s just heart breaking. Heart breaking. You just feel so horrible for the people. But hopefully this will make them smile,” said Kathy Amanti, affiliated with Ron’s Guns.
And while the donations are not going to Connecticut, it’s touching the hearts of those involved who are seeing just how generous their community is.
“It’s overwhelming. The first two days, I had so many tears in my eyes so many times. People are just so giving, and they just can’t do enough,” Amanti said.
RELATED: Westport first responders travel to North Carolina to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts
“Just a shoutout to all the people in southeastern Connecticut, and (we) appreciate it,” Rando said.
The drive at Ron’s Guns will last until at least Wednesday. Between their drive and those in Groton, at least four full tractor-trailers will be driven down to North Carolina Thursday morning.
Another trailer was dropped off at Ron’s Guns on Tuesday, which they hope to fill before Thursday’s trip. People can stop by with their donations to the business on Wednesday, the 9th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at their business located at 194 Boston Post Road in East Lyme.
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Julia LeBlanc is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jleblanc@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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