Michigan police collecting donations for Hurricane Helene victims

The Detroit News, The Detroit News on Oct 9, 2024

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DETROIT – Northville Township police are joining the effort to help those affected by Hurricane Helene and need a hand from Metro Detroiters, officials said.

They said the township's police department is collecting donations of items needed cleanup in the hurricane's aftermath, such as trash bags, heavy-duty work gloves, new socks, sanitizing wipes and tarps.

Police are holding the donation drive until next Tuesday. Items can be dropped off at bins in the township hall, 44405 Six Mile Road, the police department's lobby, 41600 Six Mile Road, or the township fire department's vestibule. 45745 Six Mile Road. The bins are accessible 24 hours a day.

"Our officers, our public safety officers, and our staff show day in and day out that they are here to help people in times of need whether in their own backyard or across the country," Scott Hilden, director of the township's Public Safety Department and police chief, said in a statement.

Officials said once the collection drive ends, the police department plans to turn over the donations to the American Legion Howell Post 141. The group has organized a caravan of semi-trailers to deliver supplies to Asheville, N.C.,one of the areas that was hardest hit by the hurricane.

They also said the Northville Township Police Department is unable to accept cash donations for Hurricane Helene relief but items outside of the list being collected can be donated to the American Legion post in Howell.

Northville Township police's effort is led by Connie Burnett, one of the department's public safety officers who answers 911 calls, officials said. Burnett organized a similar campaign to collect items for people affected by deadly tornadoes in Kentucky in 2021.

She said she felt compelled to help and used her vacation time to arrange the collection drive and set up the logistics.

Last week, officials said the death toll from Hurricane Helene rose to 227 people after it came ashore on Sept. 26. About half the victims were in North Carolina, while dozens more were killed in Georgia and South Carolina. The hurricane is the deadliest to hit the mainland U.S. since Katrina in 2005.

"My heart hurts for these people," Burnett said in a statement. "You know, we're not affected by the hurricanes up here, so I feel like we should all come together as a community and help those that need help right now."

Northville Township's effort is the latest aid sent to Hurricane Helene victims.

American Red Cross officials said Tuesday that they sent 66 Michigan volunteers to provide aid to storm-damaged states. Last week, the Michigan Army National Guard said it sent 40 soldiers to South Carolina to help authorities with debris removal and road clearing.

Another hurricane, Milton, was expected to make landfall in Florida Wednesday night and millions were ordered to evacuate.