Hurricane Helene Response
***** UPDATED December 10, 2024 *****
For the most current disaster response info, visit the Lutheran Disaster Response - Carolinas Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ldrcarolinas). Other information is available at their website: https://ldrcarolinas.org. ​
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The following is a recent announcement from their blog regarding Cleanup Kits, Children's Comfort Kits, and Hygiene/Personal Care Kits: A huge THANK YOU to everyone who has contributed these kits! We have distributed hundreds of these kits in Western NC following Helene, plus some in SC! If you have already purchased supplies for these kits, please do complete them and deliver them to a collection point, but please do not begin more new kits at this time. Distribution of these kits has slowed as we move into long-term recovery. We will be storing any extra kits already on hand for use following a future disaster.
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Zion is a collection point for these materials if you currently have some available. Please pack kits in boxes, label each box with content, how many are in the box, and your congregation name and city. Please call us before bringing your boxes to our Parish Center. We receive Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:40 p.m.
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From here on, the best assistance option is to support through financial donation. LDR Carolinas and Mennonite Disaster Service are assisting with "Bridging Together," a project to rebuild numerous small bridges destroyed by Helene. A link to offer a financial donate to this project is at the bottom of this page. ​​
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Volunteer Recruitment Center
Lutheran Disaster Response Carolinas is operating a Volunteer Recruitment Center ("VRC") at the United Way offices in Asheville. The VRC is up and running and needs volunteers (perhaps 12 to 15 per day) to work at various stations handling tasks such as greeting volunteers, having them fill out forms, matching them to community needs (identified by other relief groups), entering data, etc. If you are interested in volunteering at the VRC or would like additional information, please contact Margaret Ashby at 828.226.4928 or email:margaretashby@yahoo.com.​