The Southern Heritage Air Foundation (SHAF), located at the Vicksburg- Tallulah Regional Airport, has joined in on Operation Airdrop, a nonprofit that organizes general aviation assets in the aftermath of a natural disaster, to aid victims of Hurricane Helene.

“SHAF board of directors and Advisory Board members have set in motion a collection of needed items for the North Carolina victims of Hurricane Helene,” SHAF officials announced this week. “Items will be collected through Wednesday, Oct. 9, and SHAF’s Chairman Dan Fordice will fly the items to Concord Regional Airport in North Carolina (Oct. 10 and 11).”

Several local businesses are set up as satellite drop off/collection sites. H & M Promotional Products donated collection site signs, and Arrow Printers has also donated copied lists of items needed.

“Using a general aviation aircraft for carrying loads means that there are weight limits, so there are items that we cannot transport,” Fordice said. “Many of the items we cannot transport are being delivered through ground transportation.”

SHAF Executive Director Patty Mekus said a number of items are needed for those affected by the storm.

“Examples of items that cannot be transported are cases of water, and large bags of animal feed,” Mekus said. “Smaller bags of dog and cat food are transportable and easier to distribute. Think about sending items that you typically take for granted.”

The main drop-off locations are the SHAF location at the Vicksburg-Tallulah Regional Airport, Exit 182 off of I-20 (Mound, La. exit). 

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people affected by Hurricane Helene,” Vicksburg Alderman Alex Monsour said. “On behalf of the mayor and aldermen of the City of Vicksburg, we are supporting the Southern Heritage Air Foundation and the Community efforts by providing a central location, The Central Fire Station, for anyone who wants to drop off items on the needs list.”

Satellite drop-off/collection sites include: Arrow Printers, Ameristar Casino, Blackburn Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge, Central Fire Station, Delta Bank Vicksburg, Delta Bank Tallulah, Overdrive Nutrition, RiverHills Bank Frontage Road Branch, Riverwalk Casino, Robyn Lea State Farm, St. Francis Elementary School, Split Ends, The Radio People and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office.