SOUTHPORT — In the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, almost everything is in short supply. But if you can reach the Cape Fear Regional Jetport, there are free supplies to be had: water, charcoal, food — even dog food.
The supplies are courtesy of Operation Airdrop, a Texas-based non-profit that organizes aircraft owners, pilots, and other volunteers. The organization, founded in 2017 in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, works to “deliver essential supplies to disaster areas in hours, rather than days,” according to its website (where you can donate online, if you wish).
According to volunteer Leonard Lasek, Operation Airdrop has already flown nine supply missions from Raleigh to the Jetport, located in Southport near Oak Island.
“We’ve got food, water, juices, supplies — we’ve got body wash and shampoo, we’ve got dog food,” Lasek said.
Lasek said the supplies, which also include hygiene products — paper towels, toilet paper, and more — are free to anyone in need. That’s particularly good news for southern Brunswick County, which is facing a water shortage.
“We’ve got the supplies, if you can get to (the Jetport) we’ll supply you,” Lasek said.
Oak Island resident Mariah Brazil has been organizing the operation on the Southport end of things.
The Cape Fear Regional Jetport is located at 4019 Long Beach Road SE in Southport, near the border with neighboring Oak Island.
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