In the wake of Hurricane Helene between Sept. 24 and Sept. 28, several areas including Florida, Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina were affected, as noted by Britannica. Hurricane Helene has left the western part of North Carolina in shambles. Homes have been destroyed, roads have collapsed and flooding and mudslides have occurred, according to ABC11.
Of the heavily flooded 700,000 houses in North Carolina Counties, only 0.8% have flood insurance through FEMA, according to Politico. In addition, those who pay for flood insurance through FEMA do not have landslide coverage unless additionally purchased, as reported by Politico. Western North Carolina simply was not prepared for this level of natural disaster. This has resulted in people not having access to necessities such as water, food, clothing, and medical supplies, according to Citizen Times.
Following Hurricane Helene, an email was sent via Vice President Jean Jackson from Rev. Stacy Pardue, Campus Chaplain, to all Meredith College students, undergraduate and graduate. This email listed several ways to support communities in Western North Carolina. Rev. Pardue stated that online donations would be accepted by the American Red Cross, The North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund, Operation Airdrop, United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, and WNC Regional Livestock Center. Rev. Pardue went on to say that “If [anyone] can offer support now, please do. But know that the needs of the most severely affected will go on for weeks and months.” In the email from Pardue, she reminded students to help where they can and to “be kind to each other,” considering that no one may know what another is experiencing.
In the following days, organizations across the Meredith College campus put together their own material drives to be donated directly to victims of Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina. After many clubs and organizations began to do so, Meredith College SGA decided to unite the efforts of the student body and Meredith Community by creating one Hurricane Helene Donation Drive. SGA released a statement noting that "SGA, in collaboration with other Meredith students and student organizations, invites the entire Meredith community to join a united effort in supporting those impacted by Hurricane Helene.” The SGA encouraged the Meredith community to use the designated locations as drop off zones for donations in order to “make a meaningful difference for those in need."
A flyer was released that contained suggestions as to what can be donated for Western North Carolinians and what can be donated for workers. Drop-off locations for donated items can be found in Meredith College Cate Center, Carlyle Campbell Library, SMB, Belk Dining Hall, Residence Parlor Halls, and Jones Chapel. The drive will run until Oct. 21, 2024, according to the flyer.
By Ellie Phillips, Contributing Writer
Photo courtesy of Shae-Lynn Henderson
Flyer provided to The Herald by Cheryl Jenkins, SGA Advisor
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