We Need Your Help
Financial Donations
The devastation from Hurricane Helene is overwhelming. A generous donation will assist the Williams YMCA of Avery County in providing vital supplies & food to those impacted by the hurricane. Your support means the world to our community. Thank you!
Product Donations
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, many people in the affected areas are facing power and water shortages. Some have also lost their homes, cars, and loved ones. The Williams YMCA of Avery County is now accepting donations of the following items to help the community recover:
- Portable Generators: to bring power back to our community
- Gas & Propane Tanks: to fuel generators across Avery & Mitchell Counties
- Plastic Totes: for storing recovered personal items
- Plywood & Tarps: to cover blown-out windows and doors
- Space Heaters, Kerosene Heaters: to keep families warm in the winter season
Volunteering
Join us in making a difference! Volunteer your time and energy to help with recovery efforts by unloading and packaging food boxes, delivering essential supplies, organizing donations at drop-off sites, and performing other impactful tasks. Your contribution can truly change lives!
If you are NOT in the area, please do not travel or self-deploy to volunteer in Western NC until further notice.
Volunteer Locations:
First Baptist Church of Newland
160 Cranberry St, Newland, NC 28657
- Help with Food and Donation Organization and Distribution
- 9 am – 5 pm, every day
- For more information, check out the Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083528111732
189 Old Vale Rd, Newland, NC 28657
- Help with Food and Donation Organization and Distribution
- 11 am – 3 pm, every day
- For more information, check out the Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/feedingavery
Williams YMCA of Avery County – Blackburn Athletic Facility
436 Hospital Drive, Newland, NC 28657
- Drop-offs Donations
- Load and Unload Donations
- For more information, check out the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/williamsymcaavery
10992 NC-226, Spruce Pine, NC 28777
- Help with Food and Donation Organization and Distribution
- Drivers needed to reach individuals who could not get out to access food.
- For more information, check out the Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083528111732
Recovery and Relief Updates
State and Local Resources
North Carolina Department of Public Safety
For the most up-to-date information from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, please visit: https://www.ncdps.gov/our-organization/emergency-management/hurricane-helene
On the website, you can find the following:
- County information
- Open Shelters
- Power Outages
- United Way Missing Person/ Welfare Check Request
- Individual Assistance links
American Red Cross North Carolina Region
Download the emergency app to locate American Red Cross Shelters in our area: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/mobile-apps.html
Locate a loved one, donate, or find a shelter on the American Red Cross North Carolina Region website: https://www.redcross.org/local/north-carolina.html
Learn more about caring for your mental health during a disaster: https://www.redcross.org/about-us/our-work/disaster-relief/disaster-mental-health.html
Follow the Red Cross on social media:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redcrossnc/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redcrossnc/
ReadyNC.gov
ReadyNC.gov has resources to help you plan, prepare, and stay informed during an emergency. https://www.readync.gov/
Resources on their website include:
- Current Weather Conditions
- Evacuation Orders & routes
- Road Conditions
- Power Outages
- Shelters
- Disaster Assistance
- Hurricane Guide
NC 211
NC 211 is an information and referral system provided by United Way of North Carolina. https://nc211.org/
Call 2-1-1 or 1-888-892-1162 to receive free and confidential information on health and human services in your area.
DriveNC.gov
DriveNC.gov provides real-time road conditions across North Carolina.https://drivenc.gov/
You can also download a road closure report and view road work and other incidents that will impact your travel around Western NC.
NC Department of Health and Human Services
The NC Department of Health and Human Services page provides recovery, mental health, and other resources for people with disabilities and links to additional ways to help.
https://www.ncdhhs.gov/assistance/hurricane-helene-recovery-resources
Disaster Unemployment Assistance
If you are unable to work due to the disaster, you can learn more and apply for disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) on the Disaster Unemployment Assistance website: https://www.des.nc.gov/dua
