Tiffany Ervin was determined that the Spartanburg chapter of the Gamecock Club wasn't going to meet this week without a reason.
Ervin, a member of the chapter's board, saw the club's regularly-scheduled first Thursday meeting as a chance to do something for the communities affected by Hurricane Helene that are desperately in need of any kind of assistance.
So, she took action.
"Like everyone else right now, we just feel helpless," she said. "There's only so much that anybody could do, and because I lived in Hendersonville for the last 20 years before moving back to Spartanburg it was really important to me that we do SOMETHING."
That something included supporting a local business as well as partnering with Harrison's in an effort to get much-needed items to Western North Carolina.
"We had our regularly-scheduled social, and we thought about cancelling it. But we decided that Rigsby's had just reopened for less than a day, they needed the business," Ervin said. "People needed to get out. And people needed to feel like they were doing something to help. We added this, because the only way we were going to do the event was if something good could come out of it."
With about a day's notice, the club collected Ervin's entire back seat and cargo area full of things so desperately sought-after by those providing relief to the area.
"People showed up last night and they brought cash, they brought donations, and it's a small step but every little bit helps," she said. "People there and people right here in Spartanburg are going to need so much more. But it's a start."
Ervin said the group would likely continue with the donation drive.
"We don't have anything planned, but that's what my heart is telling me," she said. "It's neighbors helping neighbors. We're sharing posts on our social media account of opportunities that are available if people want to volunteer, and also resources that are available for people who need them. We're on Facebook and X, and I just encourage people to look there. We're just trying to do all we can to help people."
If you'd like to help, even if you're not near a store like Tiffany, we have options. Learn more about our efforts to help WNC.