OperationShelter
Raised:
USD $266,045
Campaign funds will be received by Shawn Hendrix
OperationShelter
URGENT: Helene Survivors Need Help with Shelter
In the wake of Helene, FEMA has failed our fellow Americans. These folks are our friends, neighbors, families, moms, dads, brothers, sisters, and children. The cold weather is here in and it's claiming lives. Since most of us can't be on-the-ground to help #Helene victims, we can pitch in by providing heated, 4-season, shelter that will get folks through the tough months ahead.
The Goal of #OperationShelter
To fund, purchase, deliver and distribute pitch-ready shelter packages, tiny homes, and/or RVs to #Helene victims in #NC
EXCITING UPDATE: Thank you to all Operation Shelter donors & keyboard warriors! Because of your generosity and persistence, @theShawnHendrix received a 30 min call from Vice President Elect JD Vance about what is happening on the ground in NC and Operation Shelter. He is THE ONLY politician to contact Shawn to listen to the problems facing Helene victims & understand where FEMA has failed. the OS team feels very hopeful that big positive changes are coming for NC & other affected areas!
WE STARTED #OperationShelter with heated 4-season tent packages that worked as complete shelter solutions.
Based on our experience, expertise, and #Helene victims' needs, we put together hot-tent shelter packages specially designed to solve immediate shelter needs, while also considering a range of other challenges. We chose Kodiak cabin-style canvas tents because we can vouch for their quality, durability and efficiency. These 4-season tents with wood burning stoves can handle extreme weather plus rain/moist conditions. What's so great about these tents is they create rooms where adults can stand up comfortably, so every-day life is much more comfortable and organized. The shelters can be easily shipped to NC, deployed in affected areas, and relocated on the ground.
WHERE WE'RE AT NOW: We've been at this for a few weeks and have learned from being in the field, we needed to add more options on top of our heated tent solutions.
Hot Tents: These are the perfect shelter solution for some folks; so we're providing these where it makes sense. The Hot Tent Shelter Package: $3000 - $4000. Includes a canvas cabin style tent with a wood burning stove. It provides heated shelter for a family up to (I'd say comfortably) 6 adult sized people - & obvs different combos of adults, kids, pets & gear. Bonus: The wood burning stoves can also be used for cooking.
RVs & Trailer Donations: Operation Shelter is taking RV, Camper and Trailer donations and delivering them to families in need. It's true that if shelter isn't deemed suitable by the state, kids are being separated from their parents. These are the cases where we're working to secure RVs or trailers for these families. We are equipped and use OS donations to help with logistics like minor repairs, pickup, towing, gas, lodging associated with delivery etc.
Hotel Stays: Operation Shelter has also helped families with paying for short-term hotel stays, and other accommodations.
Repairs: Operation Shelter is now helping with an array of home / shelter repair projects. Buying building supplies & organizing volunteer labor. Examples include: Roof repair, window replacements, modest cement work etc. We do what makes sense... if a family can stay in their home by repairing a hole in their roof, that means we can use an RV for other folks...
HOW #OperationShelter WORKS:
Funding: Donations made to this GSG go toward providing shelter (described above) for Helene victims.
On-the-ground-team: Led by Shawn Hendrix @theshawnhendrix
Shawn is an expert survivalist who is on the ground in NC. He is assessing the shelter needs, buying, receiving, and deploying the tent and stove packages in addition to obtaining & repairing campers and a range of other shelter solutions. Follow @theshawnhendrix on X to get his OS updates, news, and latest interviews.
My Role (@Cholly):
My name is Holly Kasun. I'm from Colorado and have a lot of extreme camping experience. I've personally used all of this equipment and can vouch for the quality, safety, and reliability of the shelter kits I've put together. My background is tech startups, and I'm good at building logistic systems from scratch, and executing these types of missions. I'm handling front-end logistics & partnerships. I'm on X a ton, promoting OS & giving updates. You can vet me on Twitter @cholly. DMs are open.
The Operation Shelter Team has expanded to a total of 6: More folks on-the-ground in NC!
- Matt Van Swol on X @Matt_Vanswol & Erin Durham on X @Historyboutique. This media power couple is on the ground in NC covering the devastation in WNC. Both have given numerous interviews about what's happening on the ground, FEMA & Operation Shelter (Emerald Robinson, Fox News...) Both Erin and Matt have jumped in with both feet - and have lifted Operation Shelter's operational organization and progress. Follow both on X and Instagram for OS updates.
- Sampson Hickox - North Carolina local and the first to join Shawn and myself. Sampson is a carpenter, builder, and all around boss. He has repaired and delivered numerous campers to families in need find him at @sampson_Hickox on X to see his OS RV repair & delivery video content.
- Matthew Gauger - You may recognize Matthew because of his well-known work in homesteading and farming content under Greenhorn Grove. Matthew has been working nonstop on fixing the donated RVs, delivering them and there for all the other assists that Helene victims need every day as they rebuild. Find Matthew on X, IG, and Facebook @GreenhornGrove
Known Challenges:
1. Product Availability: Originally I anticipated the canvas tents with stove jacks may have limited availability. Turns out, thankfully, not so! We've had no problems with stock or shipping! **RVs and trailers are tougher to get and are especially needed. They're a bit handier bc, of bathroom/kitchen facilities for families with kids.
2. Delivery: We anticipated potential issues with equipment delivery. Turns out, we've had no problems/issues. Shawn is arranging OS funding for gas, lodging etc. for volunteers who are towing/delivering RVs/ Trailers / Campers.
3. Cost: #OperationShelter packages are coming in within our initial cost estimates; even with our need to customize shelter solutions. RVs are turning out to be a bit more expensive than the heated tents, but not cost prohibitive. Shawn has done an especially amazing job with the RVs and Trailers. Overall, we're doing extremely well managing our costs - big bang for the buck!
4. Admin: Shawn and I aren't taking any money from this for ourselves, for admin etc. donations go to the sheltering project.
5. Keeping it Rolling! Our first few weeks of this project are going extremely well. We've blown through our initial funding goal, thanks to everyone's generosity. Your donations, encouragement, sharing posts & word-of-mouth is working. So far, we've helped 4 dozen families and counting!
Recent Donations
Thanks for your efforts.
god bless
You are in my thought and prayers.
Praying for all those in need. Through this suffering may your trust in the Lord provide peace and comfort.
Stay strong
Servant of Jesus. May God heal and restore WNC.
God bless and help you all, in Jesus' Name.
God bless you!!
Try changing your name to Yu Crane. That might get some legislators to recognize you.
Thanks for providing assistance to those who need it.
Donation made on behalf of Jonathan Blazer
This donation is made in the name of my son, Michael.
Updates
Update #3
November 18th, 2024
So much has happened we have had amazing donations of really nice new RVs I feel like as soon as we get one need we get and RV! They money is really making a difference in being able to get them set up, hooked up and working. You are all so amazing.
I just had a request come in for a Family of 4 with 2 kids 1 and 2 years old. I may be purchasing an RV for them if we do not get a donation soon. Pray we can find something asap!
Shawn
Update #2 RVs Needed
November 10th, 2024
We have been using money from the campaign to do tents but also we are focusing on RVS due to the threat of DSS taking kids from tents. RVs can be donated to a local church I am working with so you can get a tax deduction for the donation. We are only housing families in RVs at the moment. Adults are being offered cabin style lodge tents as a warm option for the winter. This is a very fluid situation and we have great need still. So thank you for your continued support. - Shawn
1st Shelter On The Way!
October 21st, 2024
Hello Friends!
Thank you so much for your generous donations!
Shawn went ahead and purchased the first shelter kit this weekend out of his own pocket to get things moving. It was an unexpected and wonderful gesture on his part to front the purchase before I was authorized to receive funds from GiveSendGo. The withdrawing funds process is underway and I believe we should be rolling on this front in 3-4 days.
I've tried to contact Kodiak to see if we can work some type of deal on the shelter kits given we're going to be buying quite a few due to your generosity. Unfortunately, I've only been able to leave voicemails & email. I've worked with Kodiak's customer service previously, so I'm confident we'll see movement in this area soon.
On the ground, Shawn has found the first shelter recipient, a father with 4 kids who is living out of their car. I'm going to try and push expedited delivery for the first shelter when I speak to Kodiak.
I'll keep everyone posted as we work through the process of our first shelter set-up.
Thanks again for all your support! We're getting great traction on social media. Once we get this first unit set up, I'll kick in my marketing chops to really light this program up!
Best,
Holly & Shawn
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