Raleigh, N.C. – The NC Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) partnered with the NC Commission of Indian Affairs to help students in Robeson County who were severely impacted by Hurricane Matthew.
“It’s one of the hardest hit areas of our state,” said Greg Richardson, the commission’s executive director. “Even though the event happened over a month ago, the county is still recovering. Some schools will have to be repaired or completely renovated due to damages caused by the flooding.”
Last month, the Lumbee tribes and the Superintendent of the Public Schools of Robeson County, sent a request for school supplies, because many students lost their belongings in the aftermath of the hurricane.
“The students need our help and we want to assist them in getting back on their feet as quickly as possible,” said Paula Woodhouse, OSHR’s interim director. “So we teamed up with the commission to collect essential school supplies. I was impressed with the amount of donation we received; it shows how supportive state employees are toward their fellow North Carolinians.”
OSHR and the commission collected five large boxes containing binders, papers, pens, and other school supplies within the last two weeks.
The supplies are expected to be delivered to the Lumbee Tribe in Pembroke for distribution to students and teachers next week.
The Lumbee Tribe is also giving “Coat Vouchers” to parents, so that they can go to local merchants and purchase coats for students. To learn more about hurricane recovery efforts for the Lumbee Tribe go to: Lumbeetribe.com/copy-of-rfp. In addition to the school supplies, OSHR will collect gifts for students at its annual Holiday Party next month.
The challenges for those impacted by Hurricane Matthew are ongoing. If you want to help volunteer or donate, visit ncvoad.org/cms/ for more information.
Pictured above: Greg Richardson, Executive Director of the Commission of Indian Affairs, poses with Paula Woodhouse, OSHR's Interim Director, with all the school supplies collected from the two agencies. For high-resolution photos, click here and here.
