Hurricane Helene Volunteer Information
In late September 2024, Hurricane Helene came up the southeastern states from the gulf. We have heard the devastating and tragic stories from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, and even southwest Virginia. Many individuals and families have lost loved ones, homes, and businesses. Organizations and the government have stepped in to assist in various ways. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has organized disaster relief command centers in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. Trucks of water, food, hygiene kits and other essential supplies have and continue to be sent as quickly as possible to the locations of greatest need.
How did the Roanoke Virginia Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints help?
1. Our stake was instrumental in suppling Feeding SWVA with a truck load of shelf-stable food to assist with the food deliveries to Southwest Virginia hurricane victims.
2. Our stake was instrumental in suppling Commonwealth Catholic Charities with a truck of supplies for Norton, Virginia (near Damascus). The victims in that area were able to receive free generators, chainsaws, safety gear, and other supplies to help cleanup after the hurricane/ flooding.
3. Wonderful members of our stake grouped together in teams and volunteered 1,477 hours over 2 weekends in October helping Southwest Virginia victims muck out homes, cut and remove damaged trees, and cleanup after the hurricane and flooding.
Couldn't participate in the cleanup activities mentioned above, check out other ways you can help!
From your home, you can man the Crisis Clean-up hotline.
What is Crisis Clean-up?
Crisis Cleanup (www.crisiscleanup.org) is a website tool and hotline used throughout the US. It connects disaster survivors who need property cleanup assistance with volunteers who can help. The hotline is staffed by volunteers who work from home as they have time. Survivors call the hotline, phone volunteers take the call and enter the information on the website. Volunteer organizations in the disaster locations claim cases, do the work, then close the case. Everyone is working from the same list which minimizes duplication of efforts and saves time, so more people get help. All services are free.
Requirements to answer Crisis Clean-up phone calls:
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A computer with internet access (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge internet browser).
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A phone (cell or landline). Your phone number is always kept anonymous from callers.
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Computer skills to proficiently navigate websites and enter accurate data while speaking on the phone with a survivor.
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The hotline is open 7 days a week from 9 am to 8:30 pm (of the time zone of the incident). Volunteers are NOT required to schedule work times or fill quotas, but having some sort of schedule is important. A good goal may be to plan on a few hours per week, depending on need and your availability. One hour a day for seven days is better than seven hours a day for two days straight. Watch call queue levels to determine need. Volunteers can work longer hours if desired, but please be prudent and pace yourself to avoid burnout! Phone volunteers cannot choose but take calls for all open incidents.
If you would like to volunteer:
Please click the "Volunteer" button below. Provide your name, phone number, and email address. You will then receive an email invitation to join the Roanoke Virginia Stake, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints organization that is already setup on the Crisis Clean-up website. Once you watch the 10-minute training video, you are ready to start answering calls.
Of course, feel free to donate food, water, and other supplies as you feel impressed to do so. There are several local companies and rescue agencies that are running back and forth between the Roanoke area to southwestern Virginia and/or western North Carolina. Please be sure to donate to reputable organizations to make sure your supplies are sent where they are most needed.
