01/10/2024
My heart aches for those in western North Carolina experiencing the devastation of Hurricane Helene. People are without basic necessities or have lost everything, including family members. The magnitude of this catastrophic event can create overwhelm or helplessness to know where to start. I encourage to start local as many local schools, churches, businesses, and organizations are taking donations. If able to volunteer, it will be an ongoing effort to rebuild the community in the days, weeks and months ahead. It’s human nature to want to help those in need or suffering and these are ways we can do that. If you or someone you know has been directly affected please reach out as I would like to help with any counseling needs. Western NC is on my heart!
HOW TO HELP WESTERN NC:
Hope Mill, Inc - Helicopters Dropping Relief (Charlotte, NC)
•The funds are being used to purchase water and critical supplies by a business based in the Charlotte region. Helicopters are primarily staging and departing out of Hickory, N.C.
•BPR has confirmed the GoFundMe listed below is being managed by those directly involved in relief (the effort is also linked to the relief effort supported by Cletus McFarland, a helicopter pilot and YouTuber.).
•A group of independent pilots with helicopters have been dropping off donated water, food, and supplies throughout the region for several days.
GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-hope-mill-incs-hurricane-relief?
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Operation Airdrop (Concord, NC)
•Operation Airdrop is a Texas-based 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to providing rapid relief to communities impacted by natural disasters.
• Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts at https://www.operation-airdrop.com/hurricane-helene
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Hearts With Hands (Swannanoa/Asheville)
•A local-based organization that has been supplying food and essentials to Buncombe County shelters.
•The group asks that you do not deliver supplies unannounced to their Swannanoa warehouse (they had to evacuate and are restoring services).
•The request is for financial donations online.�https://www.heartswithhands.org/
•Trucks with large loads of supplies (water, food, and more are listedhttps://www.heartswithhands.org/_files/ugd/1067fd_edc5d568f3e148d79c3427eb983d58a6.pdf ) should email info@heartswithhands.org to coordinate warehouse drop-off.
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Haywood Christian Ministry
•Western North Carolina's largest food pantry, based in the Waynesville area.
•The group is distributing food on the ground and requesting donations to help with the emergency disaster response.
•For info and to donate : https://hcmnc.org
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WNC Regional Livestock Center
•Based in Canton, the livestock center is working to help farmers and animals who were affected by flooding. You can donate toward helping local farmers who need to buy feed for animals. The center also helps supply fencing and other essentials.
•Contact: Yvonne Coburn with Civilian Disaster Response at 828-216-4496.
•More information is available : https://m.facebook.com//
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American Red Cross North Carolina
•The organization opened more than 15 shelter locations in Western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina.
•You can volunteer to serve with the American Red Cross or you can donate blood, which assists medical facilities in responding to disasters.
•You can make an online donation or give by texting Helene to 90999.
•More information is available : https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation.html/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0tIOlBf55KVfJ451ddDMNAYQ2cnpwh_GcGj3ik76nF_qbe8W50-2-AuUY_aem_Z7Cd48uXDkPZsyns_REGcw
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The Salvation Army of the Carolinas
•The organization has historically worked to provide meals and support to residents and rescue personnel in WNC communities hard-hit by disasters.
•For information on donating and more, visit the Salvation Army of the Carolinas’ page with Hurricane Helene updates.
Salvation Army Hurricane Helene Relief at https://give.helpsalvationarmy.org/give/166081/ #!/donation/checkout
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Samaritan's Purse (Boone, NC)
•The organization is responding to the High Country (northwestern North Carolina) and eastern Tennessee. The community of Boone, where Samaritan’s Purse, is based has been deeply impacted.
•Volunteers are needed for deployment starting Sept. 30.
•Donations are accepted online. https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/pray-for-those-in-helenes-path/
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The Humane Society (USA)
Help animals in emergency situations. https://secured.humanesociety.org/page/82188/donate/1?transaction.recurrpay=N&utm_campaign=https://secured.humanesociety.org/page/82188/donate
