CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Neighbors in both North Carolina and South Carolina are in dire need of a hand in the wake of Helene.
WCNC Charlotte has organized multiple ways you can help the area recover from the devastating impacts Helene had on the area.
Donate money
WCNC Charlotte partnered with the American Red Cross to help gather donations to go to efforts that will help people impacted by Helene. We've launched a special web page where you can either select a monetary amount or enter your own. You can make donations using a credit card or PayPal account.
If you wish to donate by mail, you can print and fill out a donation form and mail it to:
American Red Cross
PO Box 37839
Boone, IA 50037-0839
The North Carolina Department of Insurance also launched the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund which accepts online donations.
Donations can also be made via phone at:
1-800-435-7669
TDD Operator: 1-800-220-4095
Besides donating money and supplies, WCNC Charlotte walked the walked and started collecting cold weather gear for the people in western North Carolina.
Share the warmth
WCNC Charlotte crews have been up in the mountains for weeks talking to people impacted by Hurricane Helene about their needs. They’re changing daily, but the one thing that wasn't changing was the urgent need for warm clothes.
They gave WCNC Charlotte a list of the most needed items to keep people warm as temperatures dip below freezing. The list included items they needed urgently like sleeping bags, coats, hats, gloves and socks. WCNC Charlotte created an Amazon Wish List, and our Carolinians stepped up, sending thousands of items to WCNC Charlotte for the station employees to unbox, organize and distribute to those who need it most, including the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and Feeding Avery Families.
"This community is so giving and so generous," WCNC Charlotte Forecaster Larry Sprinkle said. "This is something very special."
There were so many donations, the station's lobby was overflowing.
"This is amazing," WCNC Charlotte Verify Reporter Meghan Bragg said while unpacking boxes. "And these boxes just keep coming in! They're rolling in here nonstop!"
Every day, more and more Amazon delivery trucks showed up and started to unload piles of boxes.
"It's a lot of stuff that's going to a great cause, which means, it's the good kind of a lot of stuff," WCNC Charlotte Producer Ethan Magram qualified.
In all, more than 10,000 items were collected, everything from blankets to hats to gloves to socks to jackets and even sleeping bags.
"It's been amazing, and the generosity is overwhelming," WCNC Charlotte General Manager and President Joan Barrett said, who personally spent hours in the lobby unpacking and organizing items. "We just want to say we're not done yet. This is for the long haul, and we'll have your back."
The donations will go directly to families who desperately need this cold-weather gear on Tuesday, Oct. 22. WCNC Charlotte employees are going to drive them up to the people in both Avery and Watauga counties.
Now that WCNC Charlotte's cold-weather item drive is done, there are various other ways to help those in need.
Operation Airdrop
For a week, the nonprofit Operation Airdrop collected donated supplies and flew them from Concord to western North Carolina for Hurricane Helene relief. At the end of the week, they announced they are continuing to support western North Carolina communities by transitioning operations to ground convoys organized and dispatched by Miracle Movers of Charlotte and the Altitude Project.
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More ways to help
Lowe's launched a round up campaign at the register to benefit Hurricane Helene Disaster relief. Customers across the country can support hurricane relief efforts through the American Red Cross by rounding up their transaction to the nearest whole dollar at checkout in Lowe's stores. These donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters across the U.S., including Hurricane Helene.
On Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, that Lowe's campaign had already raised $3M for the American Red Cross. A donation check was presented during an American Red Cross phone bank on WCNC Charlotte. The Lowe's round up campaign continues at stores across the country through Nov. 3.
Harris Teeter has also launched a round up campaign so customers can pitch in. Customers can round up their purchase to the nearest whole dollar at checkout to benefit the American Red Cross. The campaign ends Oct. 29, with 100% of funds raised going to the Red Cross. The grocer also encouraged customers to help in other ways if possible.
Volunteer your time
The need for volunteers with the Red Cross and Samaritan's Purse is significant in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
If you or someone you know would like to volunteer with Samaritan's Purse, click here.
To find out more about becoming a Red Cross volunteer, click here.
The American National Red Cross is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Contributions to the American National Red Cross are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. The Red Cross' tax identification number is 53-0196605.
Love Asheville from afar
Donating directly to the Always Asheville Fund and other local, large-scale impact funds and relief organizations.
Teppers step up
In the wake of Helene's destruction, The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation announced it would be donating an initial $3 million to relief efforts across the Carolinas in partnership with the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC. The funds will support immediate and long-term humanitarian aid and recovery efforts.
“The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation, Carolina Panthers, and Charlotte FC stand alongside all those who have been affected by Hurricane Helene and the devastation it has wrought across the southeast, and particularly in our backyard throughout the Carolinas,” a statement from the Teppers read. “This is our home and we are committed to supporting relief efforts throughout the region by providing critical resources and aiding the efforts of our heroic first responders. The impact on our community has been severe, but Carolinians are resilient and courageous, and together, we will rebuild and recover.”
