Staff photo by Fritz Busch Hurricane relief effort volunteers Vicki Versch, left, of New Ulm and Katie Rosenhammer of Sleepy Eye load a semi trailer with dry goods in the New Ulm Public Utilities parking lot Thursday. Refrigerated and non-refrigerated semi trailers will be loaded 1-4 p.m. Saturday prior to being driven to North Carolina,

NEW ULM — North Carolina hurricane relief donations continue to be loaded into semi trailers in the New Ulm Public Utilities parking lot just east of German Park.

Katie Rosenhammer of Sleepy Eye is organizing the local collection of a variety of items. Donations will be loaded into semi trailers 1-4 p.m. Saturday and 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday.

“I’m really excited and thankful to have the opportunity to collect and ship badly needed items to North Carolina. I’m very excited about the number of kids helping their parents donate things or ask me they can help,” Rosenhammer said.

“I’m going to North Carolina to meet the people in need at churches and help them. I’m excited for that. There are a number of things I will personally deliver including bags of Bibles and U.S. flags. Nursing home residents wrote personal notes I will deliver,” she said.

Rosenhammer said she recently received a text message from her contact in North Carolina that requested non-perishable food, cleaning items, gloves, masks, brushes and tools.

She said twin bed mattresses have been donated and more are needed.

“Rebuilding is a long-term project. Needs exist especially for those that may not have insurance or don’t qualify for federal or state aid. Toys for The Salvation Army to distribute in the Christmas Angel Tree program are needed,” she said.

Many people lost housewares like towels, sheets, pillows, plates, bowls, cups, flatware, glasses, microwaves, toaster ovens and other small cooking appliances, and blenders. Rosenhammer said paper products, other dry goods and consumables are also needed.

Individuals have donated many items including bicycles, walkers and wheelchairs.

“The donation response has been great, even a little overwhelming because I’ve never done this before. The neatest thing is all the people coming together. It’s incredible. People call and message me often. Donations come from up to 100 miles away. It’s just so neat to see,” said Rosenhammer.

Financial donations are being accepted at all South Point Financial Credit Unions under Hurricane Helene for total transparency. Donations can also be sent to First Baptist Church, 100 South Main St., Waynesville, N.C.