Hurricane Helene
Welcome to our dedicated landing page for Operation Helene, where we are mobilizing to provide critical assistance in response to Hurricane Helene. Our mission focuses on delivering essential supplies, hot meals, and support to communities affected by the storm. Here, you will find all the information you need to get involved, including volunteer opportunities, donation options, and updates on our operations. Together, we can make a significant impact in the lives of those in need.
Operation
Helene
Mission and Objectives:
Operation Helene is dedicated to providing immediate disaster relief in response to Hurricane Helene. Our primary mission is to deliver essential supplies, hot meals, and support to communities significantly impacted by the storm. We aim to mobilize volunteers and resources swiftly to address urgent needs and assist in recovery efforts, ensuring that affected individuals receive the aid they require.
Need for Assistance:
Hurricane Helene is expected to bring severe flooding, power outages, and infrastructure damage in several regions, making access to food, water, and medical supplies critically limited. Many families are facing hardship as they navigate the aftermath of the storm. Your support is essential in helping us reach those in need and restore hope in these challenging times.
IMPORTANT UPDATES
The Walmart Drop Off Center will STOP at 5 PM every day. After that, it will be ALL HANDS ON DECK to move supplies into trucks and the hangar before operations close at 7 PM!
PILOTS: Go directly to Concord, do not divert to other drop sites. We are running all operations through Concord (KJQF). Our team is assessing more/other drop sites.
No fixed-wing operations at Hickory (HKY). If you are a helicopter, go straight to HKY. *We are not operating out of Asheville (AVL).
Priority Donation List:
Pre-mixed baby formula, chewable Benadryl, more foods like nut mixes, beef jerky, granola bars (think hiking foods!), baby food, towels (new), diapers, socks (new)
Get Involved
Staging Location and Airport
Flight Staging Base at Concord Regional Airport
9000 Aviation Blvd NW, Concord, NC 28027
Hangar and Flight Operations close at 7 pm
To manage the influx of supplies, we’ve opened two additional supply bases and continue to accept donations at our main drop-off location:
Flights began this morning from Concord Regional Airport (JQF), transporting supplies to various airports throughout the area as the needs arise. Pilots are encouraged to bring supplies with them. Dispatch will manage all air traffic, so please follow their instructions carefully.
There is plenty of fuel available and no over-night parking fees for pilot volunteers! There is a fuel discount for pilots available at Concord.
**This is the arrival destination for pilots, ground volunteers will be based nearby**
Supply Drop-Off at Walmart Parking Lot
5825 Thunder Rd NW, Concord, NC 28027
Drop-Off Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
PLEASE NOTE: WE DON'T WANT TO ACCEPT DONATIONS AFTER 5 PM
Volunteers are essential to our mission and are encouraged to assist daily. Upon arrival, please check in at the Walmart parking lot, where roles will be assigned according to current needs, including unloading, sorting, and loading supplies. We welcome volunteers of all ages, abilities, and experience levels. While there is a higher demand for unloading and loading support, we also need help with organizing supplies, supporting our operations team, and other crucial tasks.
**This is the arrival destination for ground volunteers and supply drop off**
Operations Details
All the resources you need for volunteering or emergency response
01
Ground Volunteers
We are grateful for the overwhelming community support. If you'd like to volunteer, we welcome you to help with various tasks, from unloading and sorting supplies to assisting with operations. Volunteers of all ages, abilities, and experience levels are encouraged to join us.
Important: Upon arrival, please check in at the designated table for task assignments.
Check-in Location:
Walmart Parking Lot
5825 Thunder Rd NW, Concord, NC 28027
Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Volunteer Roles:
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Unloading and Sorting Supplies
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Loading Trucks and Trailers
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Organizing Supply Areas
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Supporting Operations Team
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Volunteer Check-In
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Navigating incoming traffic
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and more...
03
Emergency Supply Requests
Our teams are working around the clock to ensure supplies are airdropped to isolated and cut-off areas. If you know of a location in urgent need of supplies, please submit a request through our emergency supply request form.
02
Pilot Deployment
Operation Airdrop has begun flights from Concord Regional Airport (JQF) to deliver supplies to various drop sites throughout the state.
Fixed-wing pilots, bring supplies to Concord (JQF) before going anywhere else.
Helicopters are needed at HKY for local distribution efforts. NO FIXED WINGS at HKY.
Please follow all instructions from dispatch to ensure coordinated aircraft traffic.
For detailed flight operation information, refer to the Pilot Deployment Debrief below.
04
Search and Rescue (SAR) Requests
The devastation is so severe, we have added Search and Rescue operations. We are accepting all SAR requests that will run out of Hickory Airport. We will do what we can!
Overnight Accomodations
We are working on getting a Marriott booked for our operations! Bare with us in the meantime!
Rooms are booked throughout multiple locations near our operations.
Phone
MacKenzie Mitchell
Communications Director
mackenzie.mitchell@operation-airdrop.com
Phone
(940) 268-3553
Meet The Team
Ryan Spellman
Director of Operations
MacKenzie Mitchell
Communications Director
Jordan Wolff
Ground Team Director
(On Site at Concord)
Ethan Garrity
SAR Operations Director
(On Site at Hickory)
Debbie Malone
Ground Assistant
(On Site at Concord)
Shaun
Alex
Media Relations Liaison
(On Site at Concord)
Gubio Hernadez
Ground Team Assistant
(On Site at Concord)
Sean Malone
Ground Assistant
(On Site at Concord)
Michele DeWeese
Volunteer Co-Lead
(On Site at Walmart)
Callie
Acuff
Volunteer Co-Lead
(On Site at Walmart)
Kyle
Holtz
Airport / FBO Manager
(On Site at Concord)
Adam Tennant
Ground Transportation Lead
(On Site at Concord)
Operation Airdrop's
Operations Gallery
Photos Taken By: Colton Zinni (Zinni Productions)
Frequently Asked Questions
DONATIONS/VOLUNTEERS:
Q:
Are you still accepting donations? Or volunteers? Where should I meet you?
A:
Yes! Come on down! We’re at the Walmart by Concord Mills. Head to: 5825 Thunder Rd NW, Concord, NC 28027
Q:
What time should I be there to volunteer or donate?
A:
We’ll be here between the hours of 8AM - 7PM.
Q:
How long will operations last?
A:
While we don’t have a set end date, we commonly deploy for a week until logistics open up locally.
Q:
What should I bring?
A:
You can check our supply list at the top of the page
Q:
Are there any special requests for donations?
A:
You can check our supply list at the top of the page
Q:
The communications@operation-airdrop.com email isnt working?
A:
It has been updated and we think it's being overloaded but it is receiving emails at this time.
Q:
Anything I SHOULDN'T bring?
A:
Please do not bring used clothes, HAZMAT, most chemicals (including bleach), fuel, aerosols, and flammable items.
Q:
I have a large donation and filled a truck, can I bring it by?
A:
Absolutely! Head over to the Concord Mills Walmart and we’ll get you situated!
Q:
Are there any other drop sites?
A:
Yes! We are opening up a smaller, secondary supply drop at the Hickory Airport: 3103 9th Ave Dr NW, Hickory, NC 28601
Q:
Is there an Amazon wishlist? Can I ship you something?
A:
Due to hangar logistics, it’s difficult to receive packages with our current supply chain. In lieu of delivered mail, please feel free to send us a monetary donation online using our fund that’s earmarked specifically for Helene efforts at the top of the page.
Q:
Can you pick up my donation from a different location?
A:
Unfortunately we don’t have the ability to do donation pickups. We’re so honored you thought of us regardless.
PILOTS:
Q:
Are you still accepting pilots? What if we don’t have planes?
A:
Yes! We’re at JQF, Concord Regional Airport. Ground support from pilots absolutely welcome. Rotary operations please head directly to HKY, Hickory.
Q:
Do I need to sign up online?
A:
Yes please - we’ll be able to send out the most pertinent information your way once you sign up. Sign up at the "volunteer sign up" button above.
Q:
Do you have any specific aircraft needs?
A:
We have a high need for rotary operations - please head to HKY. Fixed wing, all welcome, head to JQF directly.
SEARCH AND RESCUE:
Q:
I know someone who has been stranded and needs evacuation, can you help?
A:
We are not equipped to do SAR operations at this time. If this is a medical emergency, please reach out to 911 directly. We do have a SAR organization aiding the efforts linked above in the Operations Details.
Q:
I can’t reach my loved one and they’re missing, can you check on them?
A:
Please call 211 to report a missing person and request a welfare check. The ground SAR operations are working as quickly as possible to check on your loved ones!
Q:
I heard on Facebook or through a friend of a friend or indirectly about a situation, can you help?
A:
There’s a tremendous amount of reporting happening online right now. Please amplify any specific needs to your local authorities and/or confirmed SAR needs to 911 or 211 depending.
Q:
Can you help this specific community? They need you!
A:
We’re working as quickly as we can to prioritize the most impacted communities as best we can. We will do our best to bring supplies to as many people as possible. You are able to submit a supply drop request above and we will do what we can.