Western North Carolina Hurricane Helene Relief
Goal:
USD $1,500
Raised:
USD $550
Campaign funds will be received by Shaundra Rodriguez
Western North Carolina Hurricane Helene Relief
Support Our Community After Hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene has recently devastated Western North Carolina, leaving many families in distress and isolation. With your support, we can provide essential water, food, and supplies to those affected, while helping them reconnect with their loved ones through our Starlink internet.
The hurricane has rendered entire towns landlocked and cut off from vital resources. Roads are impassable, and many residents are relying on helicopters for emergency deliveries of food, water, and medical supplies. Compounding these urgent needs, families are struggling to communicate, increasing their anxiety and feelings of isolation.
Our Vision: In the initial weeks, we successfully donated essential items to families in need, and we will continue this effort. However, we have identified another critical area of concern.
Caring for Displaced Livestock: As we advance in our mission to support our fellow Western North Carolinians, we recognize the urgent need to assist the many displaced livestock in our communities. Many farms have been affected, leaving animals without shelter, food, or proper care.
In the coming weeks, we will focus on these vulnerable animals, aiming to provide temporary housing and support for those that have been lost or separated from their owners. Our initiatives will include:
Establishing Fencing and Shelters: Creating safe spaces for displaced animals to protect them from the elements.
Providing Food and Care: Securing necessary supplies to feed and care for these animals until they can be reunited with their families or find new homes.
Collaborating with Local Sanctuaries: Partnering with local animal sanctuaries to provide comprehensive support and resources for the care of displaced livestock.
We believe that every creature deserves compassion and care during these challenging times. Your ongoing support is vital as we work together to provide relief for both families and animals affected by this disaster.
How You Can Help: Your support is essential during this crisis. Here’s how you can make a difference:
Donate: Every dollar you contribute will directly fund the delivery of food, water, and essential supplies, as well as support the establishment of Starlink connections for communication. Your donations will also assist displaced livestock, ensuring these animals receive shelter, food, and proper care.
Share: Help us spread the word about our campaign through social media and your networks. The more people who know, the more assistance we can provide.
Volunteer: If you’re local, consider joining our efforts to help with logistics and distribution of supplies.
Together, we can provide essential support and help our community heal and rebuild, one step at a time. Your generosity can change lives and restore hope to those who have lost so much. Let’s unite in strength and compassion as we stand together during this crisis.
Thank you for your kindness and support!
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Updates
Update #3
November 2nd, 2024
💔Nature has endured so much pain, and our hearts feel it too!💔 Five weeks after Helene, the landscape of Western North Carolina and its national forests has been permanently changed in many areas.
We frequently travel through this region along the NC/TN border, and it's hard to comprehend the sheer force and devastation of the hurricane that hit here. The impact is truly overwhelming on every level. Keep sending your love, hope, and prayers to us in WNC.
Update #2
October 15th, 2024
Since starting this journey on October 2, 2024, we have committed our time, energy, and resources to support our fellow Western North Carolinians. We understand that the road to healing and rebuilding will be long. At times, we feel uncertain about how to begin and hesitant to share our thoughts. It has been just over three weeks since many in our local communities have experienced unimaginable losses—loved ones, homes, jobs, businesses, personal belongings, pets, power, water, and even hope.
During this time, we have witnessed an incredible wave of love, support, and unity within the mountain communities. The sense of camaraderie among the people of Appalachia is truly inspiring, and we are proud to call this place our home.
While our contributions may seem small compared to those who are tirelessly working on the ground, we are thankful to be part of this collective effort to uplift our communities. We recognize that healing and rebuilding will take time, but we believe it is possible. In the coming weeks, we will shift our focus to the significant number of livestock that have been displaced. Our aim is to provide temporary housing for lost or missing animals, which will include fencing, shelter, feeding, and care. We plan to collaborate closely with local animal sanctuaries to bring relief during this challenging time.
We wish everyone continued strength, healing, and love.
Update #1
October 4th, 2024
We want to express our heartfelt experiences in Western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene.
As many of you know, we organized a fundraiser to support ongoing relief efforts. Thanks to the remarkable generosity of our community, we successfully delivered essential supplies to local families, neighbors, and animals in need.
The devastation in Western North Carolina is truly overwhelming. The hurricane has wreaked havoc on the infrastructure in ways that are hard to comprehend. Roads, bridges, cell towers, electrical lines, and internet services have been severely damaged or completely destroyed. Some areas may never fully recover or be rebuilt. This disaster has also affected businesses, homes, schools, hospitals, grocery stores, and gas stations, leaving many without essential services and support.
State parks have experienced considerable damage, affecting the natural beauty and recreational areas that offer solace and connection to many. The destruction of these spaces further reduces the quality of life for residents. Additionally, airports have been severely impacted, disrupting travel and essential services, which isolates communities and complicates recovery efforts. This situation makes it increasingly challenging for residents to obtain the assistance they urgently require.
In some mountain communities, people have found themselves trapped due to landslides and mudslides, with roads and bridges rendered impassable. These residents are completely cut off from all forms of communication, making their situation even more dire and isolating. Tragically, over 200 people have been confirmed dead, and thousands more remain unaccounted for.
But amidst this tragedy, there is still HOPE!
When we delivered the donations, our first stop was to check on our neighbors. To our surprise, they all assured us they were okay and didn’t need anything. Instead, they expressed concern for others who were in greater need. We even offered to set up our Starlink satellite for them, but they declined, saying they were fine and did not need it.
As we made our way to the animal sanctuary, we witnessed the incredible resilience of the community. People were coming together, working tirelessly to clear and rebuild the damaged roads and bridges. Neighbors were helping neighbors, embodying a spirit of solidarity that was truly inspiring.
At the animal sanctuary, the owner was deeply grateful for the livestock feed we brought. When we asked if they needed anything for themselves, they humbly replied that others needed it more than they did.
We then visited our local fire department to deliver additional donations. While there, we overheard some volunteers discussing their surplus supplies, brainstorming ways to share with others in need. It was heartwarming to see such a strong sense of community spirit and collaboration in the face of adversity.
The kindness and compassion they showed one another is genuinely remarkable, uplifting and embodies of what it truly means to be an American. It has restored our faith in humanity. Witnessing this community spirit and cooperation during such challenging times was truly heartening. We take immense pride in being a part of Appalachia.
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