Hurricane Helene – UNC-Chapel Hill Disaster Relief 2024
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
- MAHEC (Mountain Area Health Education Center) UNC Health Sciences Employee Assistance Fund
- Appalachian State University Disaster Relief Fund
- North Carolina Arboretum giving website (Select “The ONE Fund” designation)
- NCSSM-Morganton Helene Recovery Fund
- UNC Asheville giving website (Select “UNC Asheville Fund” designation)
- Western Carolina University Emergency Fund
Support UNC-Chapel Hill Students Impacted by Hurricane Helene
- UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Emergency Fund – Asheville Campus
- Carolina Student Impact Fund – immediate support for undergraduates, graduates, and professional students
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)
- Gobierno de Buncombe Facebook (Spanish/español)
- Buncombe County Government Facebook (English/inglés)
- You can also write to Helenevolunteers@buncombecounty.org if you’d like to volunteer.
- También puede escribir a Helenevolunteers@buncombecounty.org si quiere ser voluntario.
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
- Volunteer efforts and residents’ requests for help are being coordinated via McDowell Cares.
- Los esfuerzos de los voluntarios y las solicitudes de ayuda de los residentes se coordinan a través de McDowell Cares.
- McDowell County Facebook
- City of Marion Facebook
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.
- https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h8xSWVF8ovEDMiRKovS4A2SkUT9HOeyeNagmFTuJs4M/edit?usp=sharing
- Questions? ¿Preguntas? lgarzon@hispanicfederation.org
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.