NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — We’re used to hearing the crack of the bat at Harbor Park.
But for the next three days, starting Tuesday, the parking lot there will become a giant labor of love.
WAVY is partnering with Mercy Chefs and Smiley’s Heating and Cooling over the next few days to collect much-needed items for those in need.
Things are improving slowly in North Carolina. Ann LeBlanc, the founder of Mercy Chefs, is on the ground with its unit in Asheville and said she can’t believe the level of destruction that took place in that area.
“The massive devastation,” LeBlanc said. “You know, the Biltmore area here in Asheville and anything along the river was just wiped away, and there’s like feet of mud that businesses will be removing from inside the buildings just to try to see if the building is sound and able to not be torn down.”
Power has come back in some areas, but not all.
In terms of water, she said there are six miles of piping that have broken and need repair. It’ll be at least six weeks before folks will have running water, and people are literally starting from square one.
“We’re meeting people that have just been rescued sometimes,” LeBlanc said. “They just landed, their house is gone, members of their family are gone, and they’re broken when we hand them a hot meal.”
Broken — but hopefully not for long.
“Made with love that feeds not only their body, but their soul,” she said, “and that is our goal in every interaction, and bringing just a piece of normalcy, a little encouragement, some nutrition to sustain them as they work to rebuild.
To see the list of things people need, go here. WAVY will be out at Harbor Park from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday collecting donations.