After seeing images of the devastation from Hurricane Helene, one 12-year-old Tabletop Farmer 4-H member decided to do his part to help.  Learning about community service from the teen leaders of his club, he asked his parents if they could gather donations and take them to an area of North Carolina where current residents of Monroe County once lived.  

The 4-H member took his idea to his club on Wednesday, October 2, 2024.  He announced that he and his family would be collecting donations, with the Monroe County Extension Office as the primary drop-off point. By doing this project, he has not only learned about assisting others, but also valuable life skills.  He has created brochures that he distributed throughout the county.  Also, he posted a video on social media that has received over 220 views not to mention many shares, likes, and comments.  He was a guest on the local radio show “Monroe Monday” which has a reach into 9 counties and airs twice on Mondays.  This young man has spent his fall break organizing boxes of donations, budgeting over $9,700 of monetary donations, and preparing for his trip.  

He has taken the time to communicate with individuals in North Carolina to make sure he is bringing what they truly need.  Tomorrow morning at approximately 8:00 am, this young man and his father will be heading out with a 25-foot trailer and a truck bed full of desperately needed supplies.   His reach may not immediately be known, but this will not be his last trip to the area.  He is already planning a second trip in a few months to take more supplies and volunteer with clean-up efforts.  Also, another Tabletop Farmer club member who has been assisting him is planning to do a toy drive to help brighten the holidays for youth in the affected area of North Carolina.