Local barber to support Hurricane Helene survivors for second time

PARMA, Ohio — Mario Innocenzi plans to return to North Carolina for a second time to support Hurricane Helene survivors because he said there’s an even greater need for items like sleeping bags and tents.

“That’s what they need. They need things to keep warm. They need things to put their heads on. We’ve already delivered a truckload of love from Northeast Ohio. “We’re going for a second, maybe a third,” said Mario Innocenzi of Mario’s Barbershop in Parma .

When News 5 first encountered Innocenzi three weeks ago, he asked the community for water, non-perishable food items and brand new clothing for men, women and children, among other things.

Want to help those affected by Hurricane Helene? Here’s how.

RELATING TO: Want to help those affected by Hurricane Helene? Here’s how.

Now Innocenzi said he had a different defense because these items were not enough.

“These people have absolutely nothing, so we went back and said we didn’t need anything we had. They need tents, sleeping bags, pillows, blankets, outdoor cooking gear, and that’s what we have…a truckload,” Innocenzi said.

A truckload of Innocenzi said he couldn’t fill the load without the support of people like Carole Wooten, who donated for the third time.

“Instead of going out to eat or anything, we bring things up,” Wooten said.

Meanwhile, Kevin Sutyak said that this was his first time but he was happy to support Mario’s effort.

“He does this a lot. He does this a lot for people,” Sutyak said.

Innocenzi wondered why so many people feel compelled to help: “Sometimes I sit here and think, why are these people helping me? But they’re not helping me. They’re helping our American friends.”

If you want to donate outdoor gear like tents, sleeping bags, pillows, blankets and cookware, Innocenzi said you still have time before leaving at 1pm on Saturday.

You can leave your belongings at Mario’s Barbershop. Address: 7526 Broadview Road, Parma, OH 44134. Located inside Pleasant Valley Mall.

Innocenzi also set up a GoFundMe to cover volunteers’ housing, fuel and food needs.

CLICK HERE donate