Southwest Virginia Relief Information to Give and Get Help needed.
10/4/2024
HURRICANE HELENE RESPONSE
Support Virginians Impacted by the Hurricane
Donate Money - United Way of Southwest Virginia
Communities across Southwest Virginia depend on United Way of Southwest Virginia to quickly mobilize to meet immediate needs and assist in long-term recovery after disaster strikes. All 2024 SWVA Regional Disaster Relief Fund donations will go directly to support those impacted by the September 2024 flood. United Way of Southwest Virginia works with authorities and partners in the affected localities to distribute funds.
The needs in Southwest Virginia are constantly changing. If you’re thinking about donating goods to help those affected, there’s a way to make sure you know what is really needed now. Text DONATE to 247-211, and you will receive a new list each day. The list is refreshed nightly by volunteers at the Damascus Donations Center at 744 N Beaver Dam Ave, Damascus, VA.
Donate Farm Materials - Virginia Cooperative Extension
If you can donate specific materials or hay and feed to farmers, please fill out this form from Virginia Cooperative Extension. Currently they cannot accept financial donations but are working on that. You can choose on the form to be contacted when financial donations options are established.
Find Volunteer Opportunities
Virginia VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) advises not to self-deploy. Volunteer through organizations that you trust. You can find reputable organizations the Virginia VOAD website who are members of Virginia VOAD. Volunteering with trusted organizations ensures your safety and helps public safety officials focus on meeting affected communities’ needs. Let’s ensure our efforts are safe and coordinated. Spontaneous volunteers and donations can hinder emergency activities and create complications for those involved in managing the effort.
Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM)
The Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) offers updates on hurricane recovery efforts, volunteer and donation opportunities, accessible emergency shelters, and other timely information related to Hurricane Helene response efforts.
United Way of Southwest Virginia fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in Southwest Virginia. Their team is actively working to assess the needs in the affected counties within their region to begin working through resource linkage for those residents, and will be working with local, regional, and state representatives to ensure needs are being met for their region.
Virginia VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster)
Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VA VOAD) is an affiliate of National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD). National VOAD, an association of organizations that mitigate and alleviate the impact of disasters, provides a forum promoting cooperation, communication, coordination and collaboration; and fosters more effective delivery of services to communities affected by disaster.
If you’ve been impacted by Hurricane Helene, help is available. Whether you need immediate help locating essential supplies, such as food, water, or medical care, or long-term recovery support, 211 Virginia can guide you to the services that meet your needs.
The Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) has a collection of resources for impacted Virginians. Click here to view updates or call 1-804-267-7600 for assistance from their Emergency Support Team. VDEM also has a hotline for help with clean-up and debris management. Call 1-844-965-1386 for assistance.
The Biden administration has approved Individual Assistance for Giles, Grayson, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, and Wythe counties and Galax, so people in those communities can now apply for federal aid by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov or calling 1-800-621-FEMA.
