(March 7, 2025) The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC) distributed $1,640,000 this week to three nonprofits providing hurricane recovery services in Western North Carolina, bringing the total amount awarded from the Emergency and Disaster Response Fund (EDRF) since October 7 to more than $27.6 million.
$1,500,000 to Baptists on Mission will support operating sites to mobilize up to 600 volunteers a day to repair or rebuild homes damaged by Hurricane Helene in Buncombe, Henderson, Mitchell, Yancey, and Haywood counties. Providing for operating costs at the five sites will support work on 500 of the more than 800 homes currently on their assistance list with the number growing weekly. Operating costs include contract workers who serve as site and construction coordinators, material managers, material delivery personnel, and expenses incurred to allow a site to house, feed and mobilize volunteers.
“Outside groups with experience in responding to disasters have played an important role in helping WNC in the wake of Hurricane Helene,” said CFWNC President Elizabeth Brazas. “Baptists on Mission has experience, a system and a deep network of volunteers that can deliver meaningful results. They have purchased facilities in East Flat Rock, Spruce Pine, Burnsville and Black Mountain from which they plan to operate for the next three to five years. We are grateful for their commitment and their collaboration with other regional partners working on recovery and rebuilding.”
AMY Wellness Foundation was awarded $90,000 to support coordinators to provide case management for people who need housing assistance in Avery County as a result of Hurricane Helene.
Blue Ridge Resource Conservation and Development Council will use $50,000 to implement a drone streambank seeding project in Yancey, Mitchell, and Avery counties. The seeding will support long-term recovery of WNC watersheds by providing initial native grass root soil stability until native shrubs and trees can begin to take hold. Areas that are drone seeded will be prioritized for future live staking and planting.
If you wish to support aid to those affected by the storm, you can donate to the Fund at www.cfwnc.org. Administrative fees are waived so that every dollar goes directly to assistance.