When disaster strikes, the YMCA is uniquely positioned to mobilize quickly, thanks to its deep roots in local communities. As North Carolina faces the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene, communities are grappling with displaced families, damaged homes and critical infrastructure in need of repair.
The Y is here to help and serve in a variety of ways.
DONATE TODAY
The Y is accepting financial support through a central Hurricane Helene Relief Fund, which will assist with recovery for the Ys in North and South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
The YMCA's Emergency Assistance Fund provides financial aid to Y staff in need after natural disasters and other crises. Donations may be made here, and staff who have been impacted can apply for support at this website.
HELPING HANDS
Many local YMCAs across our state are collecting donations of vital supplies, including generators, dehumidifiers, drinking water, nonperishable foods and more and transporting those supplies to our sister Ys and communities most impacted:
YMCAs in and near the most impacted areas are serving in various ways as they can:
• opening emergency shelters to displaced families
• housing volunteer rescue workers
• distributing water, food and other critical supplies
• providing charging stations to the community
• providing access to showers to the community
• bringing aid to those whose homes are inaccessible currently
• partnering with local organizations to coordinate efforts
The Williams YMCA of Avery County is closed to the public due to unsafe road conditions, but it is housing search and rescue teams in its Blackburn Athletic Facility and Samaritan’s Purse volunteers in its main Y facility. They Y is serving about 120-180 helpers with access to the locker rooms and meals while they support recovery efforts. The Y’s website provides more details on ways to support.
The YMCA of Western North Carolina is closed indefinitely, but some facilities are open for limited services for the community at large and members. The Corpening Memorial YMCA in Marion is serving as an emergency shelter. The Y is also continuing its food distribution work and has an Amazon wish list to support this effort. Updates are available daily at the YMCA of WNC Community Health Facebook page.
The Rowan-Cabarrus YMCA had activated the J.F. Hurley Family YMCA in Salisbury as an emergency shelter for evacuees, and the Y was ready to serve with shelter, cots and more for airlifted evacuees, but emergency officials have redeployed its resources to a long-term shelter in Hudson, NC as of October 7. The Rowan-Cabarrus Y continues to collect donations at its branches and is supporting statewide efforts by the YMCAs to deploy those where they need to be.
The YMCA of Catawba Valley is supporting in different ways at its branches. When power and water were restored October 1 to the Pfifer Family Y in Burke County, the Y provided showers to more than 400 people in the early days after the hurrican. That Y and the Shuford Y are offering showers and charging stations, and collecting donations, and staff are also washing clothes for those in need. The Hickory Foundation YMCA, Lincoln County YMCA and Sally's YMCA are offering showers and charging stations, and also are collecting donations.
The Gaston County Family YMCA is serving as a central collection site and transportation service for NC YMCAs to get donated supplies to YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly (closed indefinitely due), Williams YMCA of Avery County and YMCA of Western North Carolina. Generators, dehumidifiers, bottled water, nonperishable foods and many more critical supplies are being transporting by the Gaston Y staff and volunteers.
Blue Ridge Assembly is closed indefinitely due to infrastructure damage.
Many Ys across the state are collecting supplies to be transported to communities in need. Check out your local Y to learn about opportunities to help.
(updated October 3, 2024)