PULLMAN, Wash. — A local woman recently returned from North Carolina, where she delivered care packages to families in need following Hurricane Helene.
Kristy Szablya, affectionately known as “Your Other Mother” at Washington State University, posted on social media asking, “where she could find buckets for her idea.” The response was overwhelming.
“Parents from all over the state were bringing me buckets, money was coming in for supplies, and I placed orders for that,” said Szablya
A total of 75 Coug buckets arrived at her home.
To ensure that all the supplies were delivered efficiently and cost-effectively, Szablya decided to hand-deliver them herself.
“I can’t imagine what they must be feeling; their house is destroyed, and everything they know is gone,” said Szablya
With the support of her friends, along with Absolute Comfort—a heating company in North Carolina—and Operation Airdrop, Szablya, and her team packed the buckets and arranged for them to be delivered to planes for airlifting to hard-to-reach areas.
“I think in the end, 218 buckets were filled and delivered to the airplane hangar to be distributed,” said Szablya.
The buckets were filled with essential items, including food, blankets, and other necessities.
“Baby formula that maybe they don’t have enough of whatever is most important,” said Szablya.
Szablya said she was not only impressed with Coug Nation but also with the people of North Carolina. “They’re the heroes, trying to make a new life out of what happened,” said Szablya.
Szablya, now home, said there is still much work to be done in North Carolina. “I am just going to keep spreading the word that there is still help that’s needed.”
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