CCBC Student Organizing Volunteer Effort For Eastern Tennessee and North Carolina Hurricane Victims

The devastation of Hurricane Helene throughout Tennessee and North Carolina is unprecedented. Thousands of people are stranded without food, water, electricity, and other necessities. Those spared by the storm are doing everything possible to help those in need.

CCBC honors and air traffic control student Meredith Cote is one of those people. Meredith is organizing a volunteer effort to collect supplies for those in Eastern Tennessee and North Carolina affected by the hurricane. She and her family are flying their plane to deliver the supplies.

“We’re taking any donations that don’t include water or canned foods (due to weight) for a while. We’re planning on doing a few trips back and forth for the next few weekends. And yes, I will be flying the plane,” said Cote.

When asked what motivated her to take these trips Cote said, “I was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, and I have a connection to that area. When I heard about how greatly people were affected by the storms caused by Hurricane Helene, I felt I needed to do something to help them. With access to our family airplane and my private pilot’s license, I knew I could give away some of my time and drop off supplies.”

CCBC is proud to provide practical instruction to students like Meredith who can use those skills in a career and to help others. “I chose CCBC because of the Air Traffic Control program, and I flew in a family friend’s private plane which sparked my interest in aviation and made me decide to pursue a private pilot’s license. In the future, I hope to become a licensed controller at Cleveland’s Air Route Traffic Control Center,” she stated.

A list of donation items is attached, with an urgent need for baby bottles and diaper rash cream. Donations can be dropped off at the locations below. The deadline to donate supplies will be October 31st.

Donation Box Locations:

• CCBC Aviation Sciences Center Student Lounge; Cessna Drive, Beaver Falls, PA 15010
• Beaver County Airport Main Terminal; 15 Piper Street, Beaver Falls, PA 15010
• Air Heritage Aviation Museum, 35 Piper Street, Beaver Falls, PA 15010

Our nation is resilient in the wake of disaster because of our ability and willingness to help others.