After Hurricane Matthew, and again after Florence, Wayne County Public Schools received thousands of dollars in donations from schools and communities across the state to help provide support to students and staff who had been displaced or impacted from flooding and storm damage.

Now with western North Carolina school districts and communities facing historic devastation and recovery needs as a result of Helene, WCPS school communities are coming together to help return the support.

In addition to various school-level collection drives that have already begun around the district this week, WCPS will be kicking off two district-wide donation/collection initiatives on Monday.

WCPS “Coins for a Cause” Fundraiser:  All schools will be participating in a “Coins for a Cause” coin/dollar relief drive. The district-wide fundraiser will begin Monday and last through Nov. 6.

Through a partnership with Mt. Olive Pickle Company, all schools will receive plastic gallon jars to collect the coins.

All proceeds collected will go directly to partnered school districts in western North Carolina to purchase gift cards to support those students and families displaced or impacted from flooding and storm damage.

Physical Donations: WCPS schools will have drop off sites for students, families and community partners who would like to donate items (listed below).

This physical collection drive will officially begin Monday and last through Oct. 25.

Once completed, WCPS will pick up items from each school and have them shipped to impacted communities.

“Our hearts go out to neighbors in the west,” said Dr. Marc Whichard, Superintendent. “We recognize that relief can come in waves and will be needed days, weeks, and months out. With that in mind, our district-wide collection efforts are intended to help address the more immediate needs of communities through physical donations. Schools can use monetary donations to help address long-term needs by directly assisting those students and staff still in need of relief support in the coming months after their school year is able to resume.”

Physical items being collected by schools include:

• Toilet Paper
• Bottled Water
• Non-Perishable Food
• Contractor-Size Trash Bags
• First Aid Supplies
• Feminine Hygiene
• Diapers & Baby Clothes
• Gatorade
• Canned Goods
• Personal Hygiene Products
• Feminine Hygiene Products
• Baby Wipes
• Cleaning Supplies
• Pet Food (dog/cat)
• Hand Sanitizer
• Paper Towels
• Bleach (Bottles, Spray, Wipes)
• Laundry detergent
• Dish soap
• Shovels
• Brooms
• Gloves
• Flashlights
• Batteries