OIRRT sets new procedure for goods donations post-Dorian

December 3, 2019 | Local News | From The: Ocracoke Observer

The OVFD ‘fire mart’ has been much reduced since Sept. 6 and the Ocracoke Interfaith Relief & Recovery Team are focusing on specific island needs. Photo: C. Leinbach

Press release from OIRRT

Now that Ocracoke has opened to visitors as of today (Dec. 2), the Ocracoke Interfaith Relief and Recovery Team (OIRRT) is instituting a validation system for donations brought to the island.

Our community is at the point in recovery where early stage donations are no longer needed. Examples of this include but are not limited to clean up kits, used clothing, used shoes and other items. In order to keep the relief effort organized and streamlined, we will only be accepting validated donations at the Fire Station.

In order to obtain validation for a donation drop off, please email ocracokedisasterrelief@gmail.com. Through that correspondence, you will be required to provide information about your donation. Depending on the nature of your donation, requested information may range from a detailed inventory list to photographs of items.

After initial correspondence, you will be notified whether or not your donation is validated. Approval will include a donation validation number, which you must have on hand at the time of drop off. If approved, OIRRT will also require basic information such as date and time of intended delivery, organization information, and contact information for the driver. If your donation is unapproved, you will not receive a donation validation number and will be advised to direct your donation elsewhere.

OIRRT reserves the right to reject or partially accept any unvalidated donations that arrive to the drop off location. Furthermore, validated donations that arrive with unlisted items may only be partially accepted.

This measure is being put in place to preserve the recovery efforts of the OIRRT and not overwhelm the island with unsolicited donations in our time of need.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation and we look forward to working with donors.

The OIRRT is carrying on the relief and recovery efforts from the devastating flooding by Hurricane Dorian on Sept. 6. OIRRT is a cooperative body made up of representatives from faith-based, non-profit, government, business and other organizations working within the community to assist individuals and families as they recover from a disaster.

For more information, see story here.