Fairhaven Business Owner Ready to Aid Hurricane Helene Survivors

Once again, humanity has been restored.

Carlos Matias, a Snap-on franchise owner from Massachusetts, is on a mission to help those devastated by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. Matias, who made a similar relief effort after Hurricane Harvey in Texas in 2017, felt compelled to step up once again.

He and a small group of volunteers are preparing to drive to Asheville, North Carolina, towing a trailer filled with essential supplies. The region has been severely impacted, with many families losing everything in the aftermath of the hurricane. Despite warnings to "just send money," Matias believes in showing up in person to offer direct support, stating, "I'm just trying to go do whatever I can."

While FEMA is providing some financial assistance, with many families receiving only a one-time $750 payment for emergency needs, it’s not nearly enough for those who are out of work and trying to rebuild their lives. Matias aims to bridge that gap by bringing food, tarps, baby formula, and other necessities to those in need.

The effort is being supported by local organizations, including St. Joseph's Church in Fairhaven, which is collecting donations until Sunday. With only a 16-foot trailer, Matias is hoping to inspire others to join the cause or contribute monetary donations to help keep the relief efforts going.

In addition to the supplies, Matias and his team plan to stay for about a week to provide hands-on assistance in affected communities, including those not making national headlines. He knows the importance of showing up, saying, "We're going to do whatever we can to help as many people as possible."

Here's a list of essential supplies Matias and his team will need to take to North Carolina:

**ACCEPTED ITEMS:**

- Sports drinks (powdered packets)
- Non-perishable foods
- Cleaning supplies
- Hydration packs (powder form)
- Plastic sheeting/tarps
- Toothbrushes
- Baby wipes
- Toothpaste
- Diapers (children & adults)
- Toiletries/sanitation items
- Baby formula
- Pet food (dog & cat)
- Bug spray
- Hand sanitizer
- Sunscreen
- Sanitizer wipes
- Plastic utensils
- Feminine hygiene products
- Manual can openers
- Heavy-duty work gloves
- Trash bags (13-gallon or contractor bags)
- Socks (all sizes, unopened)

**WE CANNOT ACCEPT:**

- Used clothes
- Most chemicals (including bleach)
- Water (due to weight)
- Fuel
- HAZMAT materials
- Flammable items

For those looking to donate, items can be dropped off at St. Joseph’s Church in Fairhaven, MA, until Sunday- every contribution counts.

How You Can Help:

Supplies: St. Joseph's Church, 74 Spring St, Fairhaven, MA, is accepting donations until Sunday.
Monetary Donations: You can donate to the GoFundMe page set up for this trip. A goal of $15,000 was made and thus far, almost $13,000 has been raised.

Matias and his team will also be documenting their journey, sharing updates and photos to inspire continued support. They plan to make multiple trips if enough funds and supplies are collected.