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Dollars for Disaster

What is Dollars for Disaster?

Dollars for Disaster is an as-needed basis initiative started by a group of WVU students in 2005 as a response to the Indonesian Tsunami. The initiative has since collected monetary and supply donations for Hurricane Katrina, the Haitian earthquake, the 2016 flooding in Southern West Virginia, and other disasters. During each campaign, the CCE assists in coordination of a campus-wide initiative, compiles resources and information, and serves as a clearing house for relief efforts.

Hurricane Helene Hotline

Current Volunteer Opportunities

When a storm passes, there are various volunteer opportunities for the community to come together. Information about volunteering directly in some of the affected areas can be found below as they become available. It is important that you DO NOT self-deploy, but respond to coordinated volunteer efforts.

Find a variety of volunteer opportunities and community partners below!

Join our friends at ETSU in supporting local communties:  Bucs Rebuild Together

Local  Media:
https://www.wral.com/story/how-to-help-western-nc-residents-devastated-by-helene/21648118/

Monetary Donation Opportunities

Here are some organizations currently accepting donations to support communities affected by Hurricane Helene. While we are not endorsing any specific group, we encourage you to research each one and choose the organization that aligns with your values and goals. Your support can make a meaningful difference in the recovery efforts.

  • The Kenneth D. and Carolyn T. Gray Student Emergency Funds are reserved for currently enrolled students who experience a true emergency causing a financial hardship such as money needed for unplanned trips home due to a death or illness of a family member, replacement clothing or books due to a fire or other disaster, medical emergencies or other unforeseen but urgent situations. 
  • Learn more about the Fund

Donations will go to local nonprofit organizations working directly on disaster relief. 100% of donations stay local. There will be no administrative fees or fundraising fees taken out of these donations. United Way is a local board and staff working with community leaders to identify trusted, local nonprofits that are working in the most efficient and effective way to provide disaster relief to our community. 

All Hands and Hearts has deployed teams across Florida and North Carolina to address the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene. They are actively working to assess damage, remove debris and clear hazardous trees to restore safety and access. Despite challenges, such as power outages and lack of cell service limiting access in some regions, All Hands and Hearts is actively coordinating with local partners. As conditions improve, they are prepared to expand efforts to reach remote, heavily impacted areas to provide further disaster relief and recovery support. All Hands and Hearts is launching a 12-month response to Hurricane Helene.

 Find out more Hurricane Helene Tracking | All Hands and Hearts

Americares is on the ground in Florida responding to Hurricane Helene, meeting the health needs in the hardest-hit communities. At the same time, Americares is deploying a response team to North Carolina to support the relief efforts in the western part of the state near the Tennessee border. The teams are ready to deliver medicines and relief supplies and provide emergency funding to support the restoration of health services.

 World Central Kitchen’s Relief Team is responding to communities affected by Hurricane Helene. Multiple WCK food truck partners and our new Rapid Response Field Kitchen were pre-positioned to provide hot meals quickly after the storm had passed. We're currently responding in Florida, North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee to serve communities in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.    

The North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund is now accepting contributions for hurricane damage. Contributions help with the unmet needs of hurricane victims.

Give Cash, Not Supplies!

Most charities prefer monetary donations-- it is always important to ask the charity you are donating to prior to giving materials or money. Monetary donations are more flexible and cause less of a strain on the charity, allowing them to help more. By donating funds, the necessary resources needed on the ground can be attained in a timely manner by those who understand what are the greatest needs! Unlike material donations, cash involves no transportation costs, shipping delays, or customs fees. It also enables relief organizations to spend more time providing aid by spending less time managing goods!

Other Resources

Here are some resources that offer more information on how you can help, what types of assistance is most needed, and updates on relief efforts for Hurricane Helene. 

  1. Appalachian Hurricane Helene Relief Resources - Google Sheets
  2. Appalachian Voice
  3. UT Extension: Flood Related Resources

If you, or someone you know, have been adversely affected by the recent storm, please remember that the  Carruth Center offers counseling services for all members of the WVU community. Visit their site, or call (304) 293.4431. Drop-in counseling is also available for students Monday through Friday from 8:15am - 4:45pm.

If you have questions about anything on this page or would like more information about how to be involved, contact the Center for Community Engagement at (304) 293-8761 or  CCE@mail.wvu.edu.



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