River Trace Nursing and Rehabilitation Center staff and residents have pooled resources to help victims of the Moore, Okla. tornado.

The center will have a yard sale, plate sale, bake sale and raffle from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday. It will collect nonperishable items to send to Oklahoma, too. The items will be sent to Ayden, where a church has arranged delivery of the items collected in the region. Volunteers have named the fundraiser Caring Hearts Across America.

“We’re just all trying to do what we can for the folks in Oklahoma,” said Ann Harris, administrator of River Trace.

The fundraiser was the suggestion of a River Trace staff member. When Ada Evans, dietary manager at River Trace, saw the devastation left by the Oklahoma tornadoes, she made plans to help.

Evans appealed to River Trace’s resident council and enlisted the help of the staff.

“We sent letters out to all of our resident families, and we’re just kind of trying to use the manpower from within,” said Harris. “We’re trying to involve everybody.”

Staff, residents and family members have donated items for the yard sale. River Trace is accepting donations from the public.

“Any donations — products for the plate sales, baked goods, donated items for the yard sale, bottled water, nonperishable food items, toiletries, clothing (to go to Moore, Okla.) or any monetary donations will be greatly appreciated,” said Evans. 

To help in the transportation of the goods, Harris asked that donated items be boxed.

The resident council, a group of active residents of River Trace, bought a television to raffle at the event. Other residents have volunteered to man tables at the sales.

River Trace will prepare barbecued-chicken plates that will be sold from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday. The $7 plates will include a chicken quarter, potatoes, Italian beans, a roll and dessert.

The fundraiser will be held in the center’s parking lot, which is located at 250 Lovers Lane behind Vidant Beaufort Hospital.

To donate items or order plates, call 252-975-1636.