Two Jenkins men travel to help in flood relief efforts

JENKINS, Ky. (WYMT) – More than a month after Hurricane Helene, people in North Carolina are still feeling the effects, and two men from Jenkins decided they wanted to do something to help the community recover.

Winston Lee and his friend Kyle Smith saw the devastation the communities of North Carolina were facing and decided to pick up their shovels and head down to an area that needed support.

Lee made a Facebook post asking people in the area where they were needed, and he got a message that led Smith and himself to the small community of Spruce Pine.

Lee and Smith contacted others who also wanted to help the community.

The duo spent time clearing out a home that had experienced severe flooding and trying to save what they could of the home.

Lee said going to help those in need is part of the Eastern Kentucky spirit.

“I think that same spirit that became so evident, especially after the 2022 flooding here,” Lee said. “People coming together, a community coming together, what do you need? We’ll make it happen. That spirit of helping your neighbor.”

Lee and Smith said they plan on returning to North Carolina. They hope when they do, it will be to help rebuild the community.

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