Looking Back on Hurricane Helene: Reporting on Six Months of Relief and Recovery Efforts
Cary, NC – Today, United Way of North Carolina (UWNC) reflects on the last six months of Hurricane Helene relief and recovery efforts selflessly executed by United Way organizations and partners across North Carolina. Since the hurricane hit, local United Ways are distributing vital recovery funds from the UW Helps NC Fund to community partners aiding in Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. These funds are being allocated to assist families and businesses affected by the devastating storm, ensuring they receive the necessary support to rebuild and restore their lives.
The UW Helps NC Fund, supported by donors and corporate partners, ensures that local United Ways can directly address the needs of their communities. The UW Helps NC Fund has raised close to six million dollars since the fund was created upon Hurricane Helene hitting the state. These funds enable immediate relief efforts and long-term recovery initiatives, reinforcing United Way’s commitment to rebuilding stronger, more resilient communities.
Since the UW Helps NC Fund was created in late September, UWNC has distributed $3.3 million in funding from the fund. This series of distributions made its way to 20 local United Ways directly chosen to receive the funds by generous individual donors. For more direct designations based on the donors’ chosen counties and general giving, UWNC distributed additional funding to 9 of the most impacted local United Ways. UWNC utilized a formula that considered the number of individuals receiving FEMA assistance and included a baseline amount for the communities most significantly impacted.
Below are some examples of how local United Ways have been utilizing the UW Helps NC funds distributed to them by United Way of North Carolina:
United Way of Haywood County has been instrumental in helping families transition back into their homes after the disaster. "We have been helping families who are moving back into their homes," said Celesa Willett, Executive Director of United Way of Haywood County. "Baptists on Mission are conducting their Essential Rapid Repairs program which restores homes to a safe, sanitary, and functional status. After they complete their process, United Way of Haywood County Flood Recovery provides furniture, a washer and dryer, and household goods. This includes towels, sheets, pots and pans, dishes, etc. It has been a beautiful process so far, and we are honored to help our neighbors."
Burke County United Way has also swiftly mobilized resources to assist impacted families and businesses. "We immediately purchased relief supplies and have provided extra funding to our food ministries, paid for electrical inspections of a home whose power foundation has failed as a result of the disaster, replaced household goods for victims of flooding, and purchased an electric hydraulic fence post digger for our Cattlemen’s Association to quickly repair fences," said Maureen “Mo” Schwind, Executive Director of Burke County United Way. "Beginning early January, we released an application (in English & Spanish) for families to make an application for general disaster assistance. We are also assisting one of our nonprofit medical providers with the remaining monies she needs to purchase and install a Generac generator. The clinic faced significant challenges due to power outages during the hurricane, resulting in the loss of refrigerated medications worth half a million dollars. The total cost for the generator, concrete pad, and installation was $27,200 ($17,000 Generator, $1,200 concrete pad, $9,000 electrician’s installation fee), with $10,000 already secured from a local foundation. The clinic requested an additional $17,200 from the United Way Hurricane funding to finalize purchase and install.”
High Country United Way, led by Executive Director Rebecca Hall, has been providing direct assistance to individuals in all five county coverage areas: Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, and Yancey counties. Hall states they are “also providing funding to organizations with the existing capacity to handle case management for long term recovery and unmet needs.”
The team at United Way of Rutherford County, led by Executive Director Suzanne Mizsur-Porter, has been “working with other agencies to assess the ongoing needs, maximize resources, and ensure community collaboration to be responsible stewards of the disaster funds. This includes using our team members to assist with volunteer coordination, supply collection and distribution, and working with Spokes of Hope to build a mobile laundry unit to remain in the affected area for as long as it's needed. That mobile laundry unit would then be available to other communities who have a longer recovery process. Your support makes all of this possible. United Way of Rutherford County's motto is, ‘Investing in People’ and that's exactly what your donation to our disaster relief fund is; an investment in people.” What UW Helps NC funds have been used for in Rutherford County have been:
- $50,000 to the Town of Chimney Rock Village Disaster Relief Fund for direct grant assistance residents and business owners
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$50,000 to Spokes of Hope purchase construction materials and other supplies for rebuilding
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$11,736 for immediate response supplies first responders, shelters, and local residents
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$5,000 to the Cattlemen Association
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$1,000 in gas cards for affected residents
In response to Hurricane Helene, United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County (UWABC) implemented a funding strategy to support affected communities. The approach allocated 30% of funds to immediate relief efforts, 60% to mid- and long-term recovery work, and 10% to support UWABC's own relief and recovery operations. By November 30, 2024, UWABC had invested $1.5 million in relief initiatives, including $200,000 distributed to 11 youth-serving nonprofits within two weeks of the storm. Additionally, funds were provided to five organizations for direct assistance in areas such as Swannanoa, Big Ivy, Sandy Mush, and Asheville. The recovery phase focused on developing a targeted strategy to address longer-term impacts, with planning commencing in December 2024. UWABC also facilitated access to The North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund for over 100 community partners, potentially bringing additional relief funds to Buncombe County. A list of exactly what has been funded so far can be found by reading UWABC’s Helene Fund Distribution Report.
Across the country, United Way of North Carolina experienced an extraordinary show of solidarity from United Way chapters. While each United Way typically focuses on addressing the needs of their local communities, the widespread destruction caused by Hurricane Helene prompted these organizations to unite in support of North Carolina. United Way of Southwest Louisiana was among the first to provide immediate assistance to bolster recovery efforts. “Having endured the devastating impacts of hurricanes ourselves, we know how essential it is to have support from across the United Way network,” said Denise Durel, President and CEO of United Way of Southwest Louisiana. “When we were recovering, other United Ways stood by us, and now, we are proud to stand with North Carolina as they begin their own recovery journey.”
In October 2024, Catawba County United Way co-hosted a Lauren Daigle concert with The Art of Compassion and other organizations, raising $100,000 for Hurricane Helene relief. “This gathering, while centered on incredible music and artists, was about so much more. Compassion, the power to help others and change lives, love for our friends and neighbors was palpable in the air,” Catawba County United Way Executive Director Mark Bumgarner said. “Given what we have witnessed since Helene, we knew it would take more than rain to dampen the spirit of compassion, kindness and love. It was an evening of unity, and I’m honored to have been part. What the Art of Compassion showcased was the absolute best of humanity.”
The following United Ways who extended donation support were:
Support poured in from various organizations and celebrities eager to assist in raising funds for the UW Helps NC Fund. The cast of the hit TV show Scandal hosted a virtual script reading that raised nearly $60,000, while the NC Courage soccer team organized a home game fundraiser, generating $18,000 through a QR code, ticket sales, and concessions. Other organizations contributed incredible donations to the UW Helps NC Fund:
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Walmart Foundation ($600,000): As part of its corporate social responsibility efforts, the Wal-Mart Foundation made a significant contribution to support disaster relief and recovery efforts in North Carolina, prioritizing immediate assistance and long-term community rebuilding.
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Greater Houston Community Foundation ($175,000): This Texas-based foundation provided funding to aid North Carolina communities, possibly in response to large-scale disasters that impacted multiple states, emphasizing interstate philanthropic support.
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The Big Lots Foundation ($100,000): The retail chain’s charitable foundation donated to support displaced families and individuals needing emergency assistance, aligning with its mission to strengthen communities.
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Verizon ($100,000): As a major telecommunications provider, Verizon contributed to help fund emergency response efforts, potentially supporting communication infrastructure and access to digital resources for affected communities.
Each of these donations played a role in strengthening the UW Helps NC Fund, ensuring that relief efforts reached those in need efficiently.
Alongside these financial initiatives, UWNC collaborated with Prezzee and GoFundMe.org to provide immediate assistance to impacted North Carolinians. The GoFundMe.org campaign raised $100,000, which was used to distribute $200 cash-equivalent grants to families grappling with the storm’s devastation. Furthermore, a partnership with Airbnb.com provided 540 credits of free housing to families who had lost their homes.
UWNC also worked with ARS Pharma to coordinate the shipping logistics and the delivery of 1,700 Neffy bottles, a nasal epinephrine spray, to western NC for folks with anaphylactic allergies. The need was exacerbated by stinging insects such as yellow jackets, whose nests were destroyed by the hurricane and were more likely to be unsettled and stinging those who came across them. Another partnership that unfolded with UWNC was with Univar Solutions, ICONX Chemicals, and PureLine to bring over 1,500 ResQx Water-4-Life units (water disinfection kits) to residents affected by the devastation of Helene.
Pictured: ARS Pharma's Neffy nasal spray being delivered to western North Carolina.
Additionally, UWNC received a significant donation of brand-new clothing from Lands’ End, valued at $78,000. The donation consists of 19 pallets of various clothing items and was shipped by GlobalTranz to the Aviation Metals warehouse, which offered its space free of change, for Helene-related donation items. Upon the clothing arriving, UWNC reached out to all local United Ways that were affected; United Way of Rutherford County and the local school district stepped up to support families in need within the community. This donation is particularly impactful, as it comes at a crucial time when many families continue to face economic challenges. UWNC is coordinating with local partners to ensure that the clothing reaches the intended recipients efficiently. By leveraging the free storage provided by Aviation Metals, and the collaborative efforts with United Way of Rutherford County, the distribution process is being streamlined to maximize the benefit to families in Western Carolina communities. This partnership highlights the commitment of both corporate and community organizations to come together to support North Carolinians in need.
UWNC and its information and referral service, NC 211, played a pivotal role in Hurricane Helene’s disaster relief and recovery efforts. Our involvement began on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, when former Governor Roy Cooper declared a State of Emergency and activated NC 211. UWNC was stationed at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for 26 consecutive days, gathering and disseminating crucial information about shelters, weather conditions, and available resources through real-time social media updates, website notifications, and NC 211’s comprehensive resource database. NC 211 continues to maintain up to date resources and information related to Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in western North Carolina.
One of the critical needs identified immediately by the Office of Emergency Management was a systematic way for families to request welfare checks on their loved ones in the path of Hurricane Helene. In partnership with the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, NC 211 became the official reporting mechanism for these requests. Once announced, NC 211 received thousands of calls. In response, UWNC swiftly implemented a text-based welfare check system. By texting “PERSON” to 40403, individuals received a form to complete and streamline the overwhelming influx of requests. Nearly 16,000 welfare checks were processed via call and text. NC 211 typically handles about 15,000 calls per month, but in the peak of Hurricane Helene relief efforts, call volume surged to over 30,000 in October alone. Callers were turning to NC 211 for resource information on news, shelter, food access, clothing, healthcare needs and more.
Pictured: Volunteers through United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, transporting donated items to those in need affected by Hurricane Helene.
"United Way of North Carolina has always been committed to mobilizing resources, fostering community collaboration, and providing unwavering support to those in need,” stated Brittany Pruitt Fletcher, President and CEO of United Way of North Carolina. “This has enabled us to effectively coordinate a variety of efforts to support Western North Carolina during Hurricane Helene. The dedication and incredible work of our local United Ways on the front lines have been instrumental in providing immediate relief and long-term recovery efforts. Our response to Hurricane Helene is a testament to United Way’s relevancy in communities, demonstrating our ability to mobilize resources and provide critical support when it is needed most."
For more information on how to support Hurricane Helene recovery efforts or to apply for assistance, please visit your local United Way’s website or search for a United Way by going to the Directory page.
As of April 1, 2025, donations to the UW Helps NC Fund, a greatest need fund, will also support other disasters throughout North Carolina. Donors may still designate a specific county or indicate they want their contributions applied specifically to Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. Folks may donate by going to the UW Helps NC Fund page.
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About United Way of North Carolina
United Way mobilizes communities to action so all can thrive. For almost 50 years, United Way of North Carolina (UWNC) has been a statewide organization, partnering with 47 local United Ways to co-create solutions to people’s most pressing challenges. We take a comprehensive approach, listening and responding to statewide needs, including but not limited to, strengthening local resilience and advancing health, youth opportunity, and financial security in our state. UWNC bridges and mobilizes people, local United Ways, and resources so individuals, families, and communities thrive in North Carolina. We are committed to four core areas of work: Member Services, NC 211, Disaster Response, and Advocacy. For more information, visit https://www.unitedwaync.org/.
About NC 211
NC 211 is an information and referral service provided by United Way of North Carolina and powered by local United Ways of North Carolina. Families and individuals can call 2-1-1 or 1-888-892-1162 to receive free and confidential information on health and human services within their community.