The Latest from VEA

We’ve watched helplessly as Hurricane Helene brought destruction to communities throughout the southeast, including some in the southwestern part of our own state. Now there are ways we can make a difference for our colleagues and their neighbors in hard-hit areas. VEA staff has compiled a list of experienced and effective organizations that are on the ground helping, right now, and will reach even more folks in need with the help of our contributions. Be a part of our Helene recovery efforts by supporting the groups listed below. We’re all in this together!

NEA Member Benefits

NEA Member Benefits GoFundMe Page: Donate Here

NEA Member Benefits has activated its Disaster Relief Program (DRP) in response to devastation caused Hurricane Helene. NEA MB and its business partners stand ready to assist by providing resources to affected members and affiliates, and special accommodations to NEA member-participants in NEA MB programs.

Visit www.neamb.com/disaster-assistance.htm for details about the resources and accommodations available to affected members.

Southwest Virginia Resources

What you can do to help:

• United Way of Southwest Virginia has activated the 2024 SWVA Regional Disaster Relief Fund to assist those impacted by the flooding. You can donate here.
• Bottled water, cleaning supplies, and non-perishable food items for people in the town of Damascus are being collected at the Washington County Government Center in Abingdon and the Damascus Rescue Squad.

• Supplies to support residents of the New River Valley can be dropped off at the Newport Community Center. An updated list of requested supplies can be found here.
• The First Baptist Church of Rich Creek has offered services on Sept. 29 and 30 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. for “anyone in need of a hot meal, dry space, water, power, encouragement, prayer” according to a Facebook post. Future dates will be posted on their Facebook page if there is continued need for their services.

• Report trees entangled in power lines and any other hazards to the Virginia Department of Transportation’s 24-hour Customer Service Center by visiting my.vdot.virginia.gov or calling 800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623).  VDOT crews cannot conduct work on downed trees that are entangled in power lines until the local power company has ensured the power line is not energized.

Western North Carolina Resources

If you are in western North Carolina and need to access an emergency shelter, we have a list of open ones here.

Places to donate

NC Foundation for Public School Children Disaster Relief Fund (charitable arm of NCAE)

American Red Cross donation page

Diaper Bank of North Carolina

Feeding the Carolinas

MANNA Food Bank Asheville donation page

North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund

Operation Airdrop Hurricane Helene Relief

Salvation Army Hurricane Helene Relief donation page

Second Harvest Food Bank

Samaritan’s Purse

United Way North Carolina Helene Recovery fundraiser

Tennessee Resources

KNOX COUNTY ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS

Drop off bottled water starting 8 a.m. Monday at the Knox County public works building at 205 W. Baxter Ave. in Knoxville.

EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY

ETSU in Johnson City is serving as a collection site and hosting a community blood drive in partnership with Marsh Regional Blood Center. The blood drive is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday in the Culp Ballroom, third floor of ETSU’s D.P. Culp Student Center.

For ongoing updates and ways to help, visit etsu.edu/response. Other opportunities to serve, including information about ETSU’s expanded Stuff the Bus efforts, can be found at ETSU Serves.

YMCA OF EAST TENNESSEE

All YMCA of East Tennessee locations are accepting donations of water, flashlights, batteries and portable phone chargers for flooding victims, the agency announced on Facebook.

Donations can be dropped off at any Knoxville Y location by Oct. 2. Supplies will be delivered to the Unicoi YMCA on Oct. 3.

SALVATION ARMY

Salvation Army crews are working in East Tennessee disaster areas with a base in Johnson City. All disaster donations go directly toward providing relief to survivors, the nonprofit says. Donations can be made online at helpsalvationarmy.org or by phone at 800-SAL-ARMY.

AMERICAN RED CROSS

The American Red Cross is taking monetary donations to help victims of Hurricane Helene. Donate by texting HELENE to 90999, or go to redcross.org/donate/donation.html.

Blood donations by those in unaffected areas also are needed; find information and make an appointment at redcross.org/give-blood.html