Victims of Hurricane Helene are seeking relief. Here's how the First State can help
Since making landfall on the Florida coast last week, Tropical Storm Helene has left significant destruction and devastation across many communities, including several areas in western North Carolina.
As the storm continues to move across the country, many disaster relief efforts are calling for assistance to help aid those in need – many of whom have been without food or electricity for several days.
Here’s how First Staters can help.
Donate to organizations
According to the NC Disaster Information Center, there are a number of different initiatives and disaster relief groups in North Carolina you can support:
Additional organizations looking for donations include Americares, Appalachian State University, CARE, the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina and United Way.
More assessed disaster relief efforts people can donate to are listed under the North Carolina Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster website, as well as the NC.gov website.
While individuals may be interested in sending items to the state – including food, clothing and other supplies – many efforts strongly recommend individuals interested in supporting organizations to send money.
For those who are looking to donate to organizations located in states that have faced significant damage from the tropical storm, you can donate to efforts such as the Eastern Tennessee Foundation and the Florida Disaster Fund.
Other initiatives helping those in need looking for donations are located in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky and South Carolina.
This will ensure that charities will not only receive the funds needed to purchase much-needed items but also that the money sent will go directly to the people who need the funds right now in the areas that need the most relief.
Many initiatives also warn those interested in sending money for support to check to make sure specific efforts are legitimate.
Volunteer
While many disaster relief efforts and response teams are unable to accommodate or train out-of-state volunteers, there are still many ways to help give your time to ensure communities receive the help they need.
Related: How often can you donate blood? And frequently asked questions about blood donations
According to the American Red Cross, several blood drives have been canceled due to the storm, leaving more than 1,500 blood donations uncollected in certain areas.
Those interested in donating blood to those living in impacted areas can do so at RedCrossBlood.org.
Start a fundraising campaign
Another impactful way to help those affected by Tropical Storm Helene is to start your own disaster relief fundraiser.
According to The Giving Block, there are several ways you can help raise money and awareness for those living in areas affected by the storm, including – but not limited to – hosting a virtual auction, setting up an emergency relief fund or launching a campaign on social media.
The American Red Cross also has several opportunities to start your own campaign, including playing video games or joining a Facebook challenge.
To ensure your campaign is a successful one, GoFundMe recommends engaging with your community to help support those in need. This can look like partnering with local businesses and organizations, hosting a community event or spreading the word across social media.
Several requests have been made by residents impacted by Helene on GoFundMe.
Residents can also donate to the Hurricane Relief Fund under GoFundMe.
Olivia Montes covers state government and community impact for Delaware Online/The News Journal. Reach her at omontes@delawareonline.com.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: How to help with Hurricane Helene disaster relief