SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) – It’s been a little over a month since Hurricane Helene hit the southeastern states, including Georgia. However, one of the hardest hit states was North Carolina.

An Effingham woman has been doing her best to help those in need by gathering supplies and taking them to the torn areas.

WTOC spoke with Georgia locals to learn more about the work they do.

Our team spoke initially with Angela Miller before making her first trip to North Carolina since the hurricane. Since then, she and her family have made two trips to towns like Swanannoa. Their third trip is already planned for next weekend.

Miller immediately began collecting donations for storm victims and took a huge load to North Carolina the first weekend after Helene passed through.

Miller says that on both trips he’s taken so far, the communities’ perseverance has been inspiring.

“You know, you just don’t understand how these people can smile and hug you and then turn around and go into their house and there’s no electricity. They have no food. You know, they can’t get out of the house because they can’t go on if they don’t have somebody to help them,” Miller said. “The pictures just don’t do it justice. I mean, as you know, well, that’s what happened. No, the houses are split in half.”

The group of volunteers Miller was with distributed more than 500 meals to those still in the area.

To help raise more supplies for the storm victims, they are holding a fundraiser at a local restaurant in Savannah.

A friend of Miller’s who works at Midtown Bar and Grill in Habersham reached out wanting to help people in North Carolina.

The restaurant will be open and accepting donations today starting at 2:30 p.m

Miller has lists of items people can bring on Facebook, including gift cards to Lowes or Home Depot for supplies of materials to help rebuild in areas that were completely destroyed.

Miller says the outpouring of support from her own Georgia community has been a blessing.

“You know we’ve had our own devastation in Georgia and I’ve been very, very blessed and very just overwhelmed by the amount of help that people have given, I mean we’ve had donations, donations… The community is good,” said. Miller.

All donations collected during the fundraiser will be loaded and taken with Miller on her next trip to Swanannoa.

Amy Moore, who owns Simply Southern in Springfield, will also make the trip with Miller to hand out meals to those in need.

If you can’t make it to Midtown Bar and Grill but still want to make a donation, Miller says you can contact her anytime.

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