#HaywoodStrong
Supporting Hurricane Helene Relief & Recovery
Last Updated 10/9/2024 8:11AM EDT
Hurricane Helene
Relief & Recovery in Haywood County, Western North Carolina
Haywood County has been severely impacted by Hurricane Helene, and our community needs your support. This page provides direct links to local organizations actively involved in relief and recovery efforts. Your donations will help our neighbors rebuild their lives, restore our beautiful county, and strengthen our resilient community in the face of this unprecedented challenge. Here are a few ways you can help:
Help with Small Business Relief
Roll Up Herbal Bar
Pax and Pheonix
Select "pickup in store" at checkout
The Sunshine Spot - Pet Boarding
Shop their Amazon List
Riverview Farm & Garden
Bearwaters Brewing Company
Lake Junaluska Conference Center
Legacy Dance Center
Papertown Coffee
More Small Business Relief Opportunities Coming Soon
From movie theaters to mini-golf, restaurants to retail shops, businesses across our county were devastated in the disaster. Many have not yet had an opportunity - or service - to create donation / gofundme pages. If you know of or own a business in need of financial support, please reach out to us via the below form so we can list them here.
Support Local Families
The county declared their home a total loss. Donations will go towards making sure this family of 6 is taken care of..
Family of 3 currently without a home.
Donations will help with furnishings and getting them in a home
"I rely on this vehicle to get my mom to and from doctor's appointments and to get my dad to and from work."
A U.S. Air Force Veteran and his family are gutting their house after the Pigeon River reached a historic level 25.8 (23 feet above normal).
Elizabeth has always been the first to help others, and now she needs our help. The flood destroyed her house and all of her belongings.
Having just closed on their new home, everything still in boxes, 19 feet of the Pigeon River came through and destroyed everything.
This family of five has lost 95% of their belongings. This money will ensure they have housing for the foreseeable future and will help with their basic needs.
More Ways to Give to Local Families Coming Soon.
Please check back periodically to help families in our community. If you know of or are a family in need of financial support to help recover and rebuild, please reach out to us via the below form.
Donate to Trusted Community Organizations
United Way of Haywood
The hurricane relief efforts will be long. Please consider an ongoing weekly or monthly donation.
Mountain Projects
Working to meet the immediate needs of survivors, from food and shelter to clothing and transportation.
FUMC of Waynesville
Select "Hurricane Helene" under the Fund option. The Hurricane relief efforts will be long, please consider the "give multiple times" option.
Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center
Organizing airdrops, coordinating volunteer and donation efforts, providing hot meals, and more!
Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center
Helping to house and feed rescue workers and displaced residents.
Smoky Mountain Sk8way - Sponsor a Child
Providing camp to kids of families who have been displaced.
Pinnacle Church
Give to 'For Haywood'. All donations will go directly to flood relief efforts and support for victims.
Longs Chapel
Relief efforts include serving the community hot meals, providing a charging and WiFi station and passing out food boxes for anyone in need.
Haywood Waterways Association
A nonprofit association dedicated to maintaining and improving the water quality of the Pigeon River. Note: Select "restoration" as the donation type.
The Helene Assist
In support of Haywood County Schools, helping students and families rebuild after the storm.
Shop to Support Local
Golden Bear Alchemy
The sales from the Appalachian Honey Tea will go to Pigeon Community Multicultural Center to help support Haywood County during the disaster recovery.
Pax and Pheonix
Jessica's store was flooded during the storm (see small business relief above). She truly gives her whole heart to the people of Haywood County and has been a leader in times of immense grief and destruction. At this time her brick and mortar business is closed until further notice but you can support by shopping with her online.
More Ways to 'Shop to Give' Coming Soon
Selling something where a portion of the proceeds are going back to the Haywood Country community clean up and disaster relief efforts? Let us know! Please note there must be a way for people to purchase goods or gift cards online.
F. A. Q
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers here to common questions about how you can help, where your money goes, and why supporting local efforts matters. We're here to make sure your generosity has the biggest impact possible.
Why should I donate to local organizations instead of national relief efforts?
While national organizations do important work, donating to local Haywood County organizations ensures your contribution directly impacts our community. Local groups have a deep understanding of specific needs and can often respond more quickly and efficiently to immediate concerns.
How do I know my donation is going to the right place?
All organizations listed on this website have been vetted to ensure they are legitimate and actively helping Haywood County residents. This page was created by a long-time Haywood County local who is deeply invested in the community. As a small business owner with four children in local schools, and having been raised here along with her husband, she has a vested interest in ensuring all donations go to help those in need. We provide direct links to official donation pages and regularly update our list. If you have any concerns, please contact us for verification.
Why isn't there information about donations of goods or volunteer opportunities?
This website is specifically designed for people who wish to donate money because they aren't local or close to the area. Many of the roads in and out of Western North Carolina were damaged by Hurricane Helene and are under repair, making shipments of goods difficult. Monetary donations are the fastest and most efficient way to provide immediate help. This ensures that your contribution goes directly to the right people and starts doing the work without logistical delays. For donations and volunteer opportunities for local residents of Haywood County, please see question below "I'm a local resident and...".
How often is this website updated with new information or organizations?
We strive to update this website daily with new resources, organizations, and specific needs as they arise. The date of the last update is always displayed at the top of the page. If you know of an organization or resource that should be included, please contact us immediately.
I'm a local resident and need resources like hot showers, clean drinking water, WiFi, clothing, home relocation support, or other help. Where can I find information?
If you're local, you know the incredible generosity and resilience of our people. Our community has come together in remarkable ways to support one another during this challenging time. While this website is primarily focused on facilitating donations from those outside our area, we want to ensure our local residents have access to the resources they need. For up-to-date information on available local resources, we recommend checking the following Facebook groups and Resource links:
Haywood County Helene Flood Resources 2024
These pages are actively sharing information about local shelters, distribution points for supplies, financial assistance and other community resources. They're also great places to offer or request specific help. Remember to verify any information and contact local authorities or emergency services for urgent needs. The strength of our community is in our people, and together, we will recover and rebuild.
Can I donate to larger organizations that are helping all communities in Western North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Helene?
Yes, there are larger organizations providing aid to all local WNC communities, including Haywood County. While our focus is on local groups, we recognize the valuable work of bigger organizations. Two reputable options are: American Red Cross and North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund. These organizations have the infrastructure to provide wide-scale support, but keep in mind that their resources may be spread across multiple affected areas.
Have a need? Want to share a resource?
Reach out and Let Us Know!
We Are #HaywoodStrong
Volunteering & Clean-up Efforts Are Underway
