As the scale and breadth of Helene’s damage became apparent, hundreds of nonprofits, agencies, schools, first responders, churches, and volunteers stepped up to meet needs.
NECHAMA arrived in WNC on October 6 and set up base in Hendersonville. It began accepting volunteers, referred by local and national Jewish organizations and other groups. Originally, intending to deploy for 6 months, NECHAMA plans to remain in WNC through the end of September 2025.
NECHAMA sourced projects from Crisis Cleanup, Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, Henderson County Recovery Group, Habitat for Humanity, and individual pastors. During this deployment, it has mucked and gutted houses, mitigated mold and removed debris at 52 properties in fourteen communities in WNC. Volunteers have partially or substantially rebuilt sixteen houses in Asheville, Black Mountain, Flat Rock, Hendersonville, Marion, Mills River, Old Fort, Swannanoa, Pisgah Forest and Weaverville.
NECHAMA is a valued member of the NC Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster and the long-term rebuild coalitions in Buncombe and Henderson Counties. As a volunteer-based organization, NECHAMA has recruited more than 850 volunteers who provided more than 11,500 hours of labor.
“In the midst of the catastrophe, I received a call out of the blue from NECHAMA, informing me that they were coming in response to my request and need for help. The healing they’ve brought to my life is indescribable, almost unfathomable! NECHAMA not only picked up the pieces of my broken home but all the broken pieces I had become. I am now filled with their love and laughter, their kindness and caring. They helped me prepare my home to be rebuilt and to rebuild my life as well.” - NECHAMA Client