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Photos contributed by Michael Butler
Photos contributed by Michael Butler
![](https://i0.wp.com/bladencounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Bladen-County-citizens-help-with-Disaster-relief-in-Big-Pine-Key-Florida-2-300x225.jpg?resize=300%2C225&ssl=1)
Last year, on today’s date, Hurricane Matthew brought many local residents to their knees. Two people lost their lives and the flood waters devoured homes in the area.
A year later, you will find Bladen County still is not the same. One thing still rings true, the mother county does have caring citizens.
We have heard of several Bladen County citizens helping out with the hurricane disaster relief efforts. This year Texas, Florida, the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico have all been hit hard by hurricanes; on top of that, Hurricane Nate just hit the Gulf Coast this weekend.
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On the other hand, some individuals and organizations are still trying to help those in need around our area and in our state. The Methodist church, Bladen Charge and even Bladen County employees like, Bradley Kinlaw, are still here helping Bladen County residents dealing with the effects from Hurricane Matthew a year later.
If you would like to help with disaster relief, but you are not sure how to help. To help locally you may contact Ann Wade with the Methodist Church North Carolina Conference at 919-441-0735. You can contact the NC Baptist Men for information or make a monetary donation here. You can donate blood to the American Red Cross or make a monetary donation here.