Helene Relief
Your responsiveness and generosity have been overwhelming. It's quite difficult to put into words how thankful we are to be part of this incredible running community. If you knew the depth of our emotions you would see the true response to the love that you're showing to our mountain communities. We're still seeing a great need as people are still working to clean-up their flooded homes and continue living with no electricity, no heat, limited clothing, etc... The bigger disaster relief organizations, such as Samaritans Purse, are spreading their reach, but volunteers are still needed. We know that much of the recovery will continue to depend upon the grassroots effort. As we take a breath, I know that everyone wants to ensure that your fund-raising efforts are fruitful and impactful. As a group, we may find that our greatest impact will be as the news cycle shifts away from WNC, as the volunteer effort begins to subside and these communities start to rebuild. As race director of BRR, It has been a joy and blessing to have relationships with people across western NC. I am working to communicate with each community, exchange zone host and community group to learn of specific needs. Thank you for your overwhelming generosity that you've shown since Helene, and all that you will do in the future...you are greatly appreciated.
NOTE: Blue Ridge Relay Family: Thank you for all you have done and continue to do. I apologize that I haven't posted updates for about 2 weeks. I had to catch up on work commitments and also spend some time as a husband and dad. During my lack of updates on this page, there's a lot that's still happening and WNC still needs your support in the form of volunteer hours and fund-raising. I'm catching my second-wind and will continue to update this page and keep you informed. Y'all are the best!
IMMEDIATE NEEDS
Boone Home Rebuild: Posted Tuesday, Nov 12.
Project: Two-weekend rebuild of Izzy’s home in Boone. Izzy is a 4th grade student of Hardin Park Elementary School in Boone. Izzy lives with her grandparents. Their home was flooded and they were rescued by canoe by a member of the Meatcamp Fire Department. Thankfully, the first floor of their home has been gutted and treated. We learned of this family’s needs from Izzy teachers who staff BRR EZ13. A BRR runner, who is a NC general contractor, is coordinating the effort.
Dates: Weekend 1 is Dec 6-8 and Weekend 2 is Dec 14-15. Note: Friday, Dec 6 of weekend 1 is mostly a prep/paint crew and the full crew will be on site Saturday-Sunday, Dec 7-8. We’re asking volunteers to commit to the day(s) and weekend(s) that work for their schedule.
Work Schedule: If you know folks with building skills, we would be thrilled to have them join the team. Ideally, they would have their own tools. Also, note that not every role is skilled, some folks will be running clean-up, etc… It's possible that the majority of volunteers will have some hands-on building experience, but will not be building professionals. We need building professionals and others, who will be a second set of hands, runners, etc…
Budget: We’ll complete this rebuild for Izzy and her grandparents without cost to them. Therefore, we are working to get all supplies donated or to receive financial donations that we can purchase the needed supplies. So, if you have other potential donors (funds or supplies), please reach out to them. We have a small team that is working to procure building supply donations and also funds to cover the cost of needed supplies that are not donated.
Lodging: Lodging and food for the volunteers will be provided.
How to Help: Please email info@blueridgerelay.com with interest to work and/or if you can assist with procuring building supplies/funding. When you reach out, I'll email you a copy of the work schedule and supply needs.
Izzy, Student of Hardin Park Elementary: EZ13 staff
$2,000 Goal Has Been Met! Awesome...thank you so much! Please stay tuned...more to come.
Pensacola: EZ30...Posted Tuesday, Nov 11. Thank you! The BRR running community had crews in Pensacola for 4 straight weekends and much was accomplished at Laurel Branch Baptist Church and in the community. There's more work to be done and we'll post the needs as soon as we are updated.
F3 ENC:
F3 Eastern North Carolina, based out of Greenville, NC is working several angles to support WNC and the BRR community.
1. 100% of their gofundme effort will support the BRR communities of WNC. Their $10,000 goal has been surpassed and they raised over $14,000.
2. Here's a great youtube of the podcast highlighting their efforts.
Run For Relief: Aid Blue Ridge Relay Communities: ($11,250 has been raised...$25,000 goal)
100% of this gofundme effort will used to support a family, small business or BRR community that was significantly impacted by Helene. 2024 was BRR #1 for Neal Harrington (Charlotte, NC). Neal was so impacted by his personal challenge at BRR and by the kindness and generosity of the BRR communities that he created this challenge and gofundme to raise funds for the BRR communities devastated by Helene. Follow Neal's progress on his Facebook page.
Home Rebuild #1: Get Involved
A BRR runner, who is also a NC licensed general contractor, has graciously offered his services to rebuild a home in WNC (without cost to the homeowner). Please see post above on Izzy's home. (We posted this as Home Rebuild #1, because we would love to see this idea flourish!)
BRR Relief Fund:
With a goal to be most impactful with the precious resources that we have, we are working on a Blue Ridge Endurance Helene Relief website page, that we'll link to from BRR, NRM and TRR. The focus will be on the specific needs of the communities that serve BRR and NRM. Runners/teams will be able to donate directly to the community group of their choice for projects related to Helene recovery and rebuilding. Some of these groups/organizations may have insurance, access to grants, state and/or federal funding, etc... We don't want to supersede these funds, but instead come along side the groups when that funding is not available or to assist after the available funding has been depleted. It will take a bit for us to set this up and for the communities identify their specific needs. Please be patient with us the rebuilding will take months and longer. Our hope is that this will address the re-building efforts of the BRR and NRM communities and will be an impactful expression of our gratitude for their support, hospitality and love that they give to us every year.
General Update:
With all this progress, there is still a lot of need, many hurting people, many damaged and lost homes, many small communities that are still being reached and a long road to recovery. I'm only seeing a part of the impact from Helene and it's tremendous. As the news cycle shifts and less attention is given to western NC, please remember that it will take many more weeks, months and year(s) for this recovery. Many rebuilding needs are still be identified and we are reaching out to every EZ and community group in these small mountain communities that support BRR and want to help them during this approaching season of rebuilding.
LONGER TERM NEEDS
We'll keep you posted as we make updates to the BRR Donate page, which will more detailed information for longer term needs of the exchange zones, community groups and local communities. Thank you!
