Skip to main content

As North Carolina communities cope with the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is committed to providing support for disaster recovery and relief efforts. On this website, we aim to share opportunities for donating and volunteering with a focus on UNC-Chapel Hill and its local community, while also sharing more general information and linking to other disaster relief resources. Please let us know at Carolina_disaster_relief@unc.edu if there are events and opportunities connected to Carolina for us to consider including here.

2024 UNC Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief Response Grant Application Available

The grants will help support efforts by Carolina students, staff, and faculty as they work with community partners to support Hurricane Helene disaster relief and recovery trips and small project grants. Trip and project grant applications are open on a rolling basis and will be reviewed as they are submitted. Proposals for group trips of four volunteers are eligible for up to $1,000. For projects and larger group trips sponsored by departments, contact Carolina_disaster_relief@unc.edu to discuss the possibility of applying for somewhat larger grants.
Please apply at
https://applicationportal.ccps.unc.edu/

 

We’ve heard from at least one county in the Western part of the state that they can’t take more physical donations and volunteers right now.  Buncombe County Emergency Operations Center doesn’t have the space to store these items or the staff to sort and distribute them. They gently ask that volunteers only come if government agencies request their presence or if they have pre-arranged plans with community organizations. Instead, they encourage financial contributions to reputable organizations supporting Helene recovery.

Donation Opportunities

For a more effective donation drive, please review Disaster Relief Donation Strategy prepared by Bill Gentry, Director of the Certificate of Community Preparedness and Disaster Management

UNC Center for Health Equity Research Supply Drive: To help folks and furry friends in Lake Lure and Marion, NC from November 11 – December 13, 2024. The drive will support Lil’s Thrift Shop, West Marion Community Forum, and Centro Unido. Items can be dropped off at the main CHER office suite, 323 MacNider,Tues. or Thurs. 9-5. Google Document listing needed supplies can be found here or email cher@unc.edu

Beloved Asheville

Blue Ridge Public Radio: List of Organizations in Western NC

Manna Food Bank

North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund

Triangle Community Foundation – List of Organizations in Western NC

Vecinos: Medical care for low-income uninsured in Western NC

Western Carolina University Emergency Assistance Fund

UNC American Indian Center- List of Organizations for Donations

Volunteer Opportunities

UNC Rural Hurricane Recovery Day Trip to Swannanoa, NC (for UNC faculty and staff volunteers): Friday, 12/6/24 from 5:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Additional Information and Sign-up by 12/3/24

UNC Rural Hurricane Recovery Overnight Trip to Marion, NC (for UNC faculty, staff, and student volunteers): Monday, 12/16/24 – Wednesday, 12/18/24. Additional Information and Sign-up by 12/9/24

HandsOn: United Way’s Asheville/Buncombe County’s Volunteer Management Platform

NC Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service – List of NC VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster)

Hurricane Helene Community Support Hub – Volunteer Locations List referred by United Way’s NC211 Service

United Way NC211 Complete Hurricane Helene Volunteer Location List

Diaper Bank of North Carolina

Triangle Mutual Aid and Day One Relief

Organizations Seeking Bilingual Translators (Remote Eligible)

North Carolina Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NC VOAD)

Support Affected UNC System Institutions

Support UNC-Chapel Hill Students Impacted by Hurricane Helene

UNC-Chapel Hill Departmental Resources

UNC Center for Public Engagement with Science

Mental Health and Trauma Resources for Communities affected by Hurricane Helene: UNC School of Social Work

Gillings School of Global Public Health

UNC School of Government NC Emergency Management Page

UNC School of Government Emergency Mangement Microsite: Resources to Assist Local Governments with Hurricane Recovery

UNC School of Government ncIMPACT (25 Years Later: Five Recovery Insights Gained After Hurricane Floyd)

UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health – Certificate of Community Preparedness and Disaster Management Program

The National Initiative for Trauma Education and Workforce Development – resources from National Child Traumatic Stress Network

School of Social Work Resources in aftermath of Hurricane Helene

UNC Student Affairs: Supporting Students in the Aftermath of Hurricane Helene

UNC Libraries

UNC Office of Human Resources Hurricane Helene Webpage

UNC School of Medicine and UNC HEALTH

News & Informational Updates on Hurricane Helene

Eshelman Pharmacy Campuses Unite in Hurricane Relief Efforts

UNC Institute for the Environment: Responding to Hurricane Helene

UNC School of Government News: Lead for North Carolina Fellows(LFNC) Assist with Hurricane Helene Recovery

University Communications Responding to Hurricane Helene Website

Western North Carolina Travel Update (VisitNC/Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina)

Travel Advisory Western North Carolina — Felt

The ncIMPACT Initiative – UNC School of Government

NC Disaster Information Center | NC State Extension (ncsu.edu)

NC Office of State Management and Budget (OSMB): Population in Hurricane Helene’s Path

NC OSMB: Population Change in Western North Carolina Post Hurricane Helene

Where the trees once stood: See how Helene wiped out North Carolina’s forests (Washington Post using U.S. Forest Service data)

Newsletter Signups:

NC Rural Center

NC Inclusive Disaster Recovery

Official Communication related to Hurricane Helene response

From the NC Department of Public Safety/Emergency Management, 10/5/24, Obtaining Accurate Information from Reliable Sources: Fact vs. Rumor

From UNC Communications, 10/6/24, How to help communities affected by Hurricane Helene and FEMA Hurricane Rumor Response

Message from Chancellor Lee H. Roberts, 9/30/24, Hurricane Helene response efforts

From the UNC System, 9/30/24, Response on Storm-Impacted Campuses

From UNC-Chapel Hill Human Resources – Community Service Leave: For Carolina employees, check on whether you qualify for Community Service Leave (CSL) that may be used for Hurricane Helene volunteer efforts; you may qualify for approximately two additional days of leave for this effort.

English/Spanish Resources and Organizations

Ways to Support Colaborativa la Milpa (Poder Emma, Cenzontle, and other community-based orgs/cooperatives are part of this group and share a workspace).

Maneras de apoyar a Colaborativa la Milpa (Poder Emma, ​​Cenzontle y otras organizaciones/cooperativas comunitarias son parte de este grupo y comparten un espacio de trabajo).

Buncombe County’s Facebook page in Spanish and English (Managed by Rocio Quintero)

Página de Facebook del Condado de Buncombe en español e inglés (Administrada por Rocio Quintero)

Ways to Support Centro Unido Latino Americano (CULA)

Formas de apoyar al Centro Unido Latino Americano (CULA)

 McDowell County and City of Marion

El Condado de McDowell y la Ciudad de Marion

From Lariza Garzón with the Hispanic Federation: I wanted to share this list of Latino organizations that need your help in NC. You can make financial or physical donations to help our community in the mountains. Please share this widely so that they may get the resources that they need.

De Lariza Garzón de la Federación Hispana: Quería compartir esta lista de organizaciones latinas que necesitan su ayuda en Carolina del Norte. Puedes hacer donaciones financieras o físicas para ayudar a nuestra comunidad en las montañas. Comparta esto ampliamente para que puedan obtener los recursos que necesitan.

Also see Language Justice Systems Change (LJSC)’s call to action below for Bilingual Volunteers (English-Spanish)

Consulte también la llamada a la acción de LJSC (Language Justice Systems Change) a continuación para voluntarios bilingües (inglés-español)

  • LJSC is a national network of organizers and advocates for language justice.
  • LJSC es una red nacional de organizadores y defensores de la justicia lingüística.
Since its founding in 1999, the Carolina Center for Public Service has been central to the University’s response and relief efforts in the aftermath of disasters in North Carolina, the nation, and the world. CCPS serves as a hub for disaster relief information and other resources, including providing funds for university-related projects. Donations to the UNC Disaster Relief Fund cannot be transferred directly to communities; rather, the fund enables Carolina’s efforts to support those communities. CCPS is committed to thoughtful and effective stewardship of all donations.