#Helene #HowToHelp thread:
If you're in the NC Triangle, 2 locations to drop supplies off to be delivered by Day One Relief (likely by air):
- Carrboro: Back Alley Bikes, 100 Boyd St. Open Tues/Sat 11-6
- Durham: Art Post, 718 Iredell. Open Mon-Say 12-6
(I'll add more as I learn; feel free to add your own information)
If you have useful skills (can you safely use a chainsaw? Do you know how to fix roofs? Can you deliver babies?) and are in good health, there are organizations (like the one below) deploying volunteers to places in desperate need:
https://baptistsonmission.org/Mission-Projects/By-Mission-Type/Disaster-Relief/Hurricane-Helene?
PLEASE don't just head up there on your own. Odds are you'll just be in the way. Sign up with an established organization that knows how to get you where you're needed.
Big list of ways to give and get help for folks affected by #Helene, vetted by @triblogblog
In the Morganton area. Christy is a longtime friend and trusted helper
#Asheville
Summit Coffee in the River Arts District is gone, but are giving 100% of their online sales this week to their (now unemployed) staff. I went to college with the owner and can vouch for this
#ConcordNC area --
Operation Air Drop is collecting donations to fly to places in need across #WNC
ICYMI #Helene #volunteering #NCTriangle
Day One Relief is looking for people to help sort and pack donations to be shipped to #WesternNC
Sign up sheet: https://forms.gle/qVXXMMDxhwWcKpZs6
Passing these on from my mom's knitting buddy, @rhiannongiddens (oh yes I did). If you have funds to spare, here are some orgs Rhiannon recommends:
Appalachian Funder's Network: https://bit.ly/appheleneresponsefund
Samaritan's Purse (Boone, NC): https://www.samaritanspurse.org/.../pray-for-those-in...
Operation Airdrop (Concord, NC): https://www.operation-airdrop.com/hurricane-helene
Beloved Asheville (Asheville, NC): https://belovedasheville.com/get-involved
#LynchburgVA: my friend Kyle from Bon Air Aviation is flying relief missions from Lynchburg to #Asheville. Whatever you can donate, please drop off at Bon Air before 3pm TODAY (9/30).
Kyle's a seasoned hurricane relief pilot. He'll get it done. It's what he does.
#Helene #HowToHelp
I've done the sensible thing and made a google sheet of organizations taking donations and distributing aid in #WesternNC.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1RR5HML5ni83NdVodRGp2NZvyDJ_HtiAgw3J-IlMtPuA/edit?usp=sharing
I'm trying to lift up those organizations that are already established in the areas they serve, and already know how to help those who need it most urgently. If there are others you trust and want me to add, please message me.
If you're in NC, please also check with your local fire departments, churches, animal shelters, etc. So many of these groups are collecting donations and working through established channels to get them delivered to people who desperately need them!
@DrTCombs It’s going to be a long recovery. Another group that helps both with funds, disaster kits and workers, often in conjunction with other groups is Presbyterian Disaster Assistance https://pda.pcusa.org. I’m sure their disaster kits will be in need of replenishment after this,so if going isn’t in your skill set, helping with that is an option too. The need is so great, there will be space for all of us to help in some way if we wish.
I recommend everyone get life straws, nonperishable camping style food, extra water, even things like survival tents, and keep this kit in a grab and go bag. No one is safe anywhere from disaster. Maybe you never need it, but a minimal kit could be lifesaving.
@DrTCombs Done. Thanks for sharing!
@DrTCombs Ugh. When I checked the map earlier this weekend it looked like Asheville might avoid the worst of the storm, but man was I wrong. Sad and tragic
@DrTCombs Coffee ordered. Thanks for the link!
@DrTCombs I just ordered some. I’m going to scan your thread to find other ways to help. I know several folks in Asheville who escaped the worst damage, but of course, the infrastructure is destroyed.
@DrTCombs
It's a cruel irony that flying aircraft is a major cause of the damage in North Carolina.
@DrTCombs Here’s a text-only news site from Blue Ridge Public Radio that’s useful for slow internet in western NC; might be worth passing along to people you know?
There have been very specific requests for gas-powered chainsaws, gas cans, unopened containers of mixed gas, and chainsaw PPE.
Other commonly needed items include:
Non-perishable food & baby formula
LifeStraws (or other super easy ways to purify water without power)
Heavy duty bags & totes
Heavy duty tarps
Generators
Coolers
Sports drinks & electrolytes
Bottled water
Bug spray
5 gallon buckets
Toilet paper
Batteries and USB power banks (preferably charged)
Heavy duty cleaning materials