A duo from Cause for Paws and The Purrpose are accepting donations for Hurricane Helene victims in Asheville, NC, at the brick and mortar Cause for Paws location.They plan to head east to deliver supplies sometime in the next two weeks.
When natural disasters occur, individuals and families are left choosing what is most valuable to them and what they can afford to take care of. Unfortunately, it’s not always possible for pets to be saved, even by animal lovers.
Chaz Smith, from Cause for Paws, and Amy Bolton, from The Purrpose, are looking to unite Lincoln to reduce those choices from being made in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Over the past week, the two have been gathering support from the public to help both people and pets affected by the storm in North Carolina.
“If my house was washed away when I got home, I hope to God somebody out there would be like, let me help you and let’s try to figure this out,†Smith said. “Instead of just sending hopes and prayers, we are letting people know you can bring stuff here and we’re taking it there. We can help the people around here that want to help.â€
On Saturday, the two nonprofits will host a drive at Cause for Paws, 2445 S. 48th St., where donations can be dropped off for Smith and Bolton to drive to North Carolina. The donation drive will last from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., but donations can be dropped off during business hours until Tuesday.
Cause for Paws is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1-4 p.m. on Sunday. Donors should specify the donations are for Helene relief.
Cause for Paws, a nonprofit boutique, has been supporting animal rescues and low-income families with vet bills and pet food since 2008. Smith's parents opened the nonprofit to help improve the overall quality of life for pets in Lincoln.
“We’re all over our community trying to help, not just the animals in it, but the people as well,†said Smith, who serves as vice president of the nonprofit. “When the people are doing well, the animals are doing well. There’s a direct correlation between that.â€
In September, Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm, tore through the southeastern U.S. with a death toll over 300 and nearly 100 people still missing. Smith decided she wanted to help the area, specifically Asheville, North Carolina.
“Let’s get people to rally around, get food, get what we need for animals, but then also for the people as well,†Smith said. “It’s a trickle-down effect. If you’re taking care of the people, you’re taking care of the animals, because they’re going to take care of the animals if they’re OK.â€
It wasn’t something Smith could do alone, nor did she want to do it alone. So she decided to call up her good friend, Bolton, who runs The Purrpose, an animal rescue service in Lincoln.
“Asheville was at the heart of Helene, and they were so devastated. I know that what we can take in this one truck is going to make a difference for so many people,†Bolton said.
As an avid animal lover, Bolton specifically thought about the people in Asheville who might’ve not had a disaster plan in place for their pets.
“Because of that, they may have to surrender their pets or abandon their pets. We can provide those resources so that doesn’t have to happen,†Bolton said.
When faced with a natural disaster, Bolton said people might have to choose between feeding themselves, their children or their pet.
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“We don’t want people to have to be in a position to choose who they're feeding or whether or not they’re eating tonight,†Bolton said. “We want to be able to create something better, even if it’s just a few people, so they don’t have to make that choice until they can get back up on their feet.â€
When looking at Asheville, Bolton said they found Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, which will have to rebuild its rescue centers. By sending resources from Nebraska, Bolton hopes to alleviate additional burdens for the rescue.
“The fewer animals that we have that need to go into a shelter or an adoption situation because of what’s happened, the better off we’re going to be. The only way to prevent that is to help the people,†Bolton said.
Smith and Bolton are asking for donations of anything that could be useful for those rebuilding their lives and homes — from clothing to disinfecting wipes to shovels.
“If you were to leave your house with what’s on your back, take your backpack, your purse, whatever it may be and leave, and then come back to nothing, what do you think you’re going to need? And then starting over in a disaster area that’s full of debris,†Smith said.
* Baby supplies: Diapers, pull-ups, bottles, baby food and formula
* Household items: Paper plates, blankets, paper towels, toilet paper, disinfecting wipes and spray, suitcases, stuffed animals
* Hygiene products: Toothbrushes, deodorant, soap, face masks, gloves, first aid kits, soap, feminine products
* Clothing: Socks, winter wear, and casual clothing
* Pet supplies: Cat and dog food, treats, leashes, toys, beds, food and water bowls, pet kennels and cat litter
Donations can also be made through their and monetary donations can be given through .
All of the donations will be brought to Asheville Dream Center, which has a gymnasium set up to help families. Monetary donations will help cover the cost of gas for Smith and Bolton to get to Asheville with the remaining going to the Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, which has a matching fund of $750,000.
On Wednesday, Smith and Bolton will begin their estimated 18-hour trip to Asheville, using a 16-foot truck offered by community member Nick Goddard from Beeline Delivery.
“I know we don’t live there, we are Nebraska strong through and through, but I feel like that bleeds into our country everywhere. And when we see people hurting, that’s where we need to be and that’s where we’re gonna go,†Smith said.
Photos: Hurricane Helene inundates the southeastern US
Standing next to donations at Cause for Paws made for those suffering from Hurricane Helene, Amy Bolton, executive director of The Purrpose, writes down information during a phone call. The Purrpose is teaming with Cause for Paws, 2445 S. 48th St., to accept donations for Hurricane Helene victims.
Amy Bolton (left), executive director of The Purrpose, and Chaz Smith, vice president of Cause for Paws, are accepting donations for Hurricane Helene victims at the Cause for Paws location, 2445 S. 48th St., which they will drive to North Carolina next week.