Willow South Lake Church collects donations for hurricane victims

On Sept. 16, while Hurricane Florence was still creating record-breaking flooding in North Carolina, Willow South Lake began collecting donations to send to partner churches in the stricken areas.

The forecast was calling for even more rain, in an area already hit with up to 30 inches of rain. Massive flooding is expected in the coming weeks as the water works its way downstream and back towards the coastal areas. The storm's impact has already forced tens of thousands to flee their homes and seek refuge in temporary shelters.

Willow South Lake, working with partners such as World Vision and local churches on the ground in the Carolinas, compiled a list of much-needed items.

The church reached out to their community for donations of: diapers and wipes, feminine products, hand sanitizer, new socks and underwear (all sizes), paper towels, soap and shampoo, and toilet paper.

Volunteers gathered on Sunday afternoon to help collect, sort and pack up the items that had been collected.

All of the donations collected at Willow South Lake will be combined with other donations from Willow South Barrington and other regional campuses, then shipped directly to partner churches in the stricken areas.

This wasn't the first time Willow South Lake church stepped up and provided assistance after a natural disaster. They also provided relief following Houston's hurricane and massive flooding last year.

The church, at 625 Barclay Blvd. in Lincolnshire, is the newest regional campus of Willow Creek Community Church of South Barrington.

Willow South Lake offers services weekly at 9 and 11 a.m. Sundays. Additional information is available at willowcreek.org/south-lake and www.facebook.com/willowsouthlake.