Sisters Katie Godwin and Becky Silverthorne wanted to help the community after Friday’s destructive tornado tore through Beaufort County. With the help of Washington Motors, the sisters have set up a place to take and handout donations to people in need.

When the storm was approaching, Godwin said she was on Facebook talking to people about the tornado and they were asking how they could help. She later called her sister to try to figure out a location to take donations.

“We needed a central location, something in Washington,” Godwin said. “She (Becky) called her boss and he said, ‘You could use my building for however long you need.’”

Godwin, who is an administrator with the Beaufort County Online Yard Sale on Facebook, posted information for those who wanted to donate where they should go — to Washington Motors — along with other information about assistance needed.

The sisters began collecting donations first thing Saturday morning and received so many donations they moved to an old mechanics’ bay, owned by Braxton Smith, in the same parking lot as Washington Motors.

Along with the help of other volunteers, the sisters began boxing up items to take to people who had been affected by the storms. Godwin and Silverthorne are also helping victims find whatever they need at their donation center to make life a little easier.

They are no longer taking clothes, but are in need of toiletry items and nonperishable foods, along with water.

“We are asking for donations that will be helpful for today,” Silverthorne said. “We are not an organization. We are just people that are trying to help people until organizations can help them.”

Twenty-five families had visited Washington Motors Monday afternoon to pick-up donations that they needed to get through in their storm-ravaged homes.

“We want you to come here and pick up what you need,” Silverthorne said. “This is on an honor system, and we aren’t going to try and verify who you are or where you live. We won’t check your ID to see that they are victims.”

The sisters also want people to know that you don’t have to just live in Beaufort County to get needed supplies. Chicod victims are also welcome, as well, along with other towns in the area.

Larry Thompson, who had his roof ripped off of his home came by Washington Motors to get some items for himself and his daughter, but he decided to stay and volunteer his time as well.

“If it wasn’t for Mister and Mrs. Silverthorne, and Miss Katie, I don’t know where I would be,” Thompson said. “My roof was damaged and I had a lot of rain damage. I got my cleaning supplies and it has helped me from the mold. If it wasn’t for these ladies, where would we be?”