Dear FRIENDS:
Like all of you, we are heartbroken at the devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene over so much of our beloved Blue Ridge … especially around our western North Carolina chapter of Asheville.
We have contacted the American Red Cross to see how we can best utilize our organization’s resources, volunteers and members to help those who are suffering.
Because floodwaters have damaged so many roads accessing the affected communities, the Red Cross is encouraging financial contributions – rather than donations of household supplies – to help fund its many emergency shelters.
There will come a time very soon when household supplies and volunteer work crews will be needed … and we stand ready to respond.
In the meantime, we are asking our volunteers, members and supporters to make a donation to the Red Cross.
If you’re more comfortable doing so, you many also donate to FRIENDS (check-marking “Hurricane Helene”) and we will designate your gift to the causes recommended by our Asheville chapter.
We also invite FRIENDS who are interested in volunteering in Blue Ridge communities impacted by Hurricane Helene to sign up here and we will be in touch when the Red Cross or other organizations issue a call for help.
Thank you so much for being a FRIEND during this difficult time. Our mission has even more meaning today than ever: “Making Blue Ridge communities better.”
Your FRIEND,
Julie Whalen, Executive Director