Update published 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 8:
While the threat of Hurricane Milton to residents in Florida intensifies this week, donations continue to pour into several groups assisting victims of the recent Hurricane Helene damage.
Access WDUN's Martha Zoller has learned that continuous efforts by Gainesville-based Syfan Logistics is reaching unparalled numbers by their company's standards.
As of Tuesday, October 8, nearly 30 tractor trailers filled with donations of items needed for survival have been transported across parts of Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and the Carolinas. They are continuing to accept donations at the Turbo Truck Center location along Old Candler Road daily, unitl 6:00 p.m. A list of items needed can be found below.
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Update published 10:20 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2:
Syfan Logistics in Gainesville has extended its drive to provide resources to communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Steve Syfan with the company shared on WDUN’s Mornings on Maine Street that since the drive began on Monday, they have already filled 10 trailers, with the hope of filling two more on Wednesday and Thursday.
“What [are doing] is boxing about a 40 pound box that will take care of a family for two, maybe three days,” Syfan explained. “They can just grab it, and it has everything in it: snacks, canned goods, drinks, [medical supplies], if possible and they know their kids are taken care of for a couple of days.”
Those interested in dropping off donations can do so from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Turbo Truck Center on Old Candler Road in Gainesville. Syfan said the company will announce Thursday if the drive will continue on Friday. A list of items needed are below.
Update published 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 1:
Steve Syfan with Gainesville-based Syfan Logistics says they've seen overwhelming support from the Gainesville and Hall County communities for their efforts to send aid to areas impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Syfan spoke on WDUN the morning after a day-long donation drive held by the logistics company Monday that the company said solicited enough supplies to fill seven trucks headed to affected parts of Georgia and North Carolina.
He said that number surpassed donation drives held in years past by the company for previous disaster relief efforts.
"I think back to (Hurricane) Hugo 30-something years ago, we did a truck and a half, maybe two," Syfan said. "(Monday's drive) was overwhelming in a good way."
Syfan said the company will continue soliciting donations for as long as the community continues to bring them in. He said the drive is continuing Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Turbo Truck Center on Old Candler Road in Gainesville.
Syfan added that the supplies are mainly being delivered to smaller communities in southern and eastern Georgia along with western North Carolina.
"The government does a good job...but it can only do what it can do," Syfan said. "If the government does its part to the larger areas and then we hit the small pockets, then we'll get everybody covered. At least that's the goal."
Details on what items to donate can be found in the original article below
Original story published Monday, September 30:
A Gainesville-based logistics company is soliciting a wide variety of donations that will be transported to victims of Hurricane Helene in Georgia and North Carolina.
Over the weekend, Syfan Logistics announced plans to collect the donations during an eight hour window on Monday, September 30. Crews will then load up trucks to transport the items to Augusta (GA), Hazlehurst (GA) and North Carolina.
Steve Syfan with the company commented on the community's generosity on WDUN's Mornings on Maine Street.
The following items will be accepted Monday until 6 p.m. They can be dropped off at the Turbo Truck Center, located at 2037 Old Candler Rd., Gainesville, GA 30507.
- Baby clothes
- Baby shampoo
- Baby wipes
- Bowls
- Camping tents
- Canned goods (all kinds)
- Can openers
- Cereal
- Cleaning supplies
- Coolers
- Diapers
- Dry goods
- Flash lights (with batteries)
- Folding chairs
- Hand soap
- Juice
- Paper products (including towels and plates)
- Peanut butter
- Plastic forks, spoons and knives
- Rubber gloves
- Snacks of all kinds
- Sleeping bags
- Soft drinks
- Solo cups
- Tailgate tents
- Tarps
- Toilet paper
- Toothpaste and toothbrushes
- Towels
- Trash bags
- Water
