[Cary, NC] – This past weekend Angela Williams, President and CEO of United Way Worldwide, visited communities in western North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Helene, She toured affected areas and met with numerous leaders from local United Ways their partner agencies. Her visit underscored United Way’s commitment to supporting those affected by the storm and the important role local United Ways are playing in disaster recovery and relief efforts.
Angela Williams meeting with United Way of Henderson County and Housing Assistance Corporation in Hendersonville, NC
During her visit, Williams traveled to four United Way offices to meet with six different United Way leaders:
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Suzanne Mizsur-Porter, Executive Director of United Way of Rutherford County
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Mo Schwind, Executive Director of Burke County United Way
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Kat Carlton, Executive Director of United Way of Henderson County
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Celesa Willett, Executive Director of United Way of Haywood County
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Dan Leroy, President and CEO of United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
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Rebecca Hall, Executive Director of High Country United Way
Collected debris on the side of the road in Asheville, NC
Williams also met with Haywood County officials Bryant Morehead (Haywood County Manager), Kevin Ensley (Haywood County Commissioner Chair), and Jeff Haynes (UW of Haywood County Board Chair), representatives from Owen Middle School in Buncombe County, and the Housing Assistance Corporation, Interfaith Assistance Ministry, and a disaster recovery center in Henderson County -- All of whom have been tirelessly working in tandem with the local United Ways to support families and individuals impacted by the hurricane, to establish food distribution points, ensure access to emergency housing, and provide support for long-term rebuilding efforts. Through these initiatives, our local United Ways in western North Carolina aim to assist in both short-term recovery and long-term community resilience, ensuring that affected areas can rebuild stronger than before.
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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 three core areas of work: Member services, NC 211, and Advocacy.