SWANSEA, Mass. (WLNE) — A group of 16 volunteers from His Providence Church in Swansea is set to depart for North Carolina on Oct. 11 to deliver essential aid to those affected by Hurricane Helene. The team, led by Pastor John Gagne, will bring donations of non-perishable food, baby items, and medical supplies to help residents impacted by the storm’s devastation. The church filled trailers with donations and is partnering with Operation Blessing, an international humanitarian organization, to ensure that the supplies reach the hardest-hit areas. “The access to medical care isn’t always readily available, so putting together first aid kits specifically with that type of care in mind,” Gagne said. “They just can’t go to CVS and get something in need because everything is shut down.” Volunteers will stay an hour outside the main area of operations due to housing shortages caused by the storm. “Other sources of housing are being used to house migrant families,” Gagne said. “There’s just nowhere to stay. The group said North Carolina is just the beginning of their efforts, as they are also planning to extend aid to Florida after it was hit by Hurricane Milton. “As we’re working on all this to go down to North Carolina, Florida gets hit,” trip organizer and church Creative Director Lori Saint-Ilme said. “We definitely are seeing what resources we have and how we can rally people to help down there as well.” Categories: Massachusetts, News