Macon supply drive will send aid to Statesboro for Hurricane Helene victims. How to help

Human Rights Campaign Atlanta has partnered with Macon activists and businesses to collect supplies for Georgians hurt by Hurricane Helene.

The Drive, which is collecting donations at The Bohemian Den on Cherry Street, ran from 2 to 6 p.m. on Thursday and will do so again Friday.

Donations will be taken to Statesboro in south Georgia and distributed at the city’s pride celebration this weekend.

“We want to support our community,” said DeMarcus Beckham, a local activist who is involved with Human Rights Campaign. “The drive is for anyone who has been devastated by the hurricane, no matter if you’re straight, gay, religious, any racial background, this is a drive for everyone.”

Pride in the community

In the days following Helene, Beckham said he and others involved with Human Rights Campaign wanted to do something to help.

Within a few days, they organized a drive to collect items that are necessary for survival but have become scarce following the storm. This includes nonperishable foods, bottled water and hygiene products.

Beckham said he plans to transport the items himself in a U-Haul trailer once the drive finishes.

In the week since Hurricane Helene barreled through the South, communities have struggled to recover. East and south Georgia were hit the hardest, with thousands of people without power and 33 people dead as of Friday afternoon.

Hurricane Helene left Statesboro with smashed homes and buildings, power outages and temporary fuel shortages. Beckham said he felt handing out the donated supplies during Pride felt fitting, as Pride is meant to celebrate and give back to the community.

“Pride is a place where individuals can receive resources,” Beckham said. “Pride should not be seen as just a big party that people have for a weekend, it should be seen as a place where people can talk about…how they can be more impactful.”

People before politics

In addition to collecting supplies, participants could also view sample ballots for the upcoming election at the drive.

The drive was also handing out Harris/Walz campaign signs to those interested, but Beckham emphasized that these were only to incentivize people to give. The drive was focused primarily on meeting people’s needs, and Beckham said he feels that both Democrats and Republicans have responded with empathy following the storm.

“Across the board, each campaign has acknowledged those who have been impacted by the hurricane,” Beckham said. “They have sent their heartfelt prayers and thoughts.”

Since Hurricane Helene struck Georgia, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have visited the state to survey the damage.