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, but thankfully triage centers are well stocked. There are a lot of people with flooded homes, no electricity, no heat, no clothes, etc... and the triage centers continue to distribute all sorts of essential supplies. Thankfully, some of the bigger organizations, such as Samaritans Purse, are getting rolling. But I know that much of the recovery will continue to depend upon the grassroots effort. At this time, I think it's best to pull back and take a breath. I want to ensure that our fund-raising efforts are fruitful and impactful. Going forward, as a group, we may find that our greatest impact will be as these communities start to rebuild. However, I will continue to stay in touch with the communities during this critical time. Thank you for your overwhelming generosity that you've shown in these last 5-6 days, and all that you will do in the future...you are greatly appreciated.
IMMEDIATE NEEDS
Pensacola: EZ30...Posted Thursday, Oct 10. MANUAL LABOR NEEDED! Going into Pensacola Saturday morning and working Saturday and Sunday. Please do not go on your own...this needs to be a coordinated effort. As of 11:00pm Thursday evening, I think we're around 10...can use about 6+ more fresh bodies.
Pensacola is asking for help with manual labor, to include: chainsaw work, log splitting for firewood, cleaning out the church(es), removing the church pews, removing the fabric from the church pews, possibly gutting the church to above the water-line, helping people with clean-up at their homes, etc... I don't know how many people would be ideal, but possibly a crew of 12-18 who are ready for some manual labor and who will do whatever is needed. We'll need to bring tools, but don't know if all tools will be used: workboots, muck boots, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protectors, chaps, chainsaws, gasoline, bar oil, 2-cyle oil, maul for log splitting, crowbars (3 ft and 2 ft), flat bars, hammers, sledge hammer, cordless drivers with bits (for removing any sort of screw), nail pullers, sharp knives to cut carpet, sawzall (cordless and/or corded...they may have a generator), misc tools, N95 mask (with respirator preferred (like 3M 8511). Personal items needed will include tents, sleeping bags, coolers with food, water...and anything else you need to survive. Please let me know if you have some folks who want to work...we will go into Pensacola early Saturday morning and work through Sunday. Because of road conditions and limited space in Pensacola, it will be best if we carpool with 4-6 people per vehicle. Based on our observations from last Saturday, a 4-wheel drive vehicle would be wise to have. If interested, please email me so we can get a head count and get organized. ( info@blueridgerelay.com ) If you don't get a response, we may have hit our cap. There will be many more opportunities to serve. Thank you.
Linville Central Rescue Squad: EZ 15-20
Let's help win a Land Rover for the Rescue Squad. PLEASE KEEP VOTING THROUGH OCT 17!
CAST YOUR VOTE NOW! Here's the LINK to vote. Here's the LINK to their Facebook post.
Linville Central Rescue Squad (and their Mountain Rescue Team) has been rolling non-stop since Helene hit. Avery County has been hit hard by Helene. The support for BRR in Avery County from property owners who host the exchange zone sites and the community groups that staff the EZ have been rolling out the red carpet at BRR for 20 years. The Linville Central Rescue Squad is ready to roll when needed during BRR and their team works the night shift (11:00pm - 10:00am) to cover BRR's second sweep shift from Grandfather Mountain to Burnsville. Please vote for Linville Central Rescue Squad daily and please share this link with family and friends and community. A little time each day can have a huge impact on the Avery County community in the future.
Run For Relief: Aid Blue Ridge Relay Communities: (David Goggins influenced challenge)
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.
BRR Relief Fund: October 8, 2024
Over the last 10 days, the mountain communities have experienced a tremendous response of supplies, volunteerism and contributions. 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.
Tuesday, October 38
Ashe County Habitat for Humanity: EZ6 and EZ8
Ashe Habitat headquarters and The ReStore was flooded and I'm assuming is an absolute mess. Lots of furniture, probably lots of mud and debris, etc… Volunteers and muscle are needed to help clean out the ReStore. "We will be working on cleanup at the Ashe Habitat ReStore (127 Beaver Creek School Rd in West Jefferson) on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and at least Monday through Friday of next week, 9 AM to about 3 PM. Volunteer should wear closed toe, nonslip shoes, and bring gloves if they have them." With extra help each day, they'll work as long as people are willing work. Ashe Habitat always has a big volunteer force at BRR and NRM, and they have a tremendous impact in Ashe County. Thank you for your tremendous response and for giving your time to Ashe Habitat. They are ahead of schedule and are taking a few days to let the building dry and to figure out the next steps in the renovations after the flooding.
This is 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.
The teachers of Hardin Park Elementary who staffed EZ13 shared that several students lost their homes...literally nothing to go home to. One of the students, Izzy, thankfully didn't lose her home, but lost everything in her home...clothes, dolls, personal items, everything...and we are "adopting" her and her grandparents. Thankfully, the first floor of their home was gutted shortly after the flood and they believe that it can be restored. I asked her teacher for a $ goal and she shared "I like to dream big...$2,000...because this family lost everything." So, our goal is to raise $2,000 total in gift cards from Walmart, Target, Lowes Hardware and Harris Teeter. If you'd like to help Izzy and her grandparents, please email me ( info@bluerdgerelay.com ) and we'll lock you in. Once the family can catch their breathe, they will have tremendous needs when they go to rebuild their home. Here's a video link to Izzy's grandparents interview on Fox: https://www.foxnews.com/video/6362771517112
Work Boots for Tim (Thank you for your immediate responses...we expect Tim to have his new workboots by Tuesday)
Downtown Fleetwood, the home community for Blue Ridge Endurance, has been largely quiet. The church has been gutted, but it's been quiet around the 8-9 homes. When I was coming through last night, I noticed some clean-up debris piles on the side of the road fpr the first time. I took a walk today and talked to the few folks that were contemplating their homes and were doing some yard clean up. I asked how things were and what we could do to help with yard clean-up, home clean-up, supplies, etc... Because of the flood damage, they believe the county is going to condemn their homes. They shared that they're just moving in a fog. When I asked how I could help, they said that they're fine and just waiting on the county. And then they asked me "can we help you with anything?" As we finished our conversation, I offered assistance once again...food, water, clothing... Tim looked down at his feet, water soaked work boots, and asked "Can you help me get a new pair of work boots?" Would anyone want to love on Tim and ship a size 10-1/2 pair of workboots? Please email me ( info@blueridgerelay.com ) if you would to do this. You can ship the boots to Blue Ridge Endurance, 2385 Big Flatts Church Rd, Fleetwood, NC 28626. Thank you.
Pensacola (EZ30)
As you know, the community of Pensacola was decimated by the flooding from Helene. Many other communities in our mountains had a similar fate. But BRR has experienced the love and generosity of Pensacola for 20 years.
We made a run into Pensacola yesterday, Saturday, October 5 with 2 pick-up truck loads. First of all, a local friend with a 4x4 pick-up from Boone was planning to go with me. At the last minute, he had something come up on the home-front and I told him to take care of his family...I knew this trip to Pensacola was going happen. A BRR runner arrived with a car load of supplies as planned and he was ready to fill in when he knew I needed a second vehicle. Second, as planned we met up with another couple with a car full of supplies for Pensacola. I asked when they ran BRR and they said never...but hope to one day...they just follow BRR on social media and wanted to help. Then, as planned, we met up with a past (and future) BRR runner and her fiance (and future BRR runner), who brought a trailer and truck full of supplies for Pensacola. I asked if they'd be willing to drive their 4x4 pick-up into Pensacola with us..and they said "We came to serve". What a blessing! The road going into Pensacola is secured by State Highway Patrol and the National Guard. I think they let us through because, as requested, we had coffee and Mt. Dew...and 2 truck loads of supplies. It was a quiet ride as we drove from Burnsville into Pensacola...not much conversation as we looked around. Heavy equipment were in Bolen's Creek rebuilding the river bank and road, and linesmen were hard at work pulling new lines well after dark. In the Burnsville area we saw many from the local community on side-by-sides and I'm sure on the equipment rebuilding the road. It's been neighbor helping neighbor...the local people are incredible in the way they are giving their time and resources...it's incredibly humbling. From our arrival in Burnsville to Pensacola, probably 2 hours passed. The road was blocked for one hour for construction and the final 6-mile drive took about one hour. We arrived in Pensacola, unloaded our supplies and as we were getting ready to pull out, they stopped us to eat dinner with them. They had a grill and fryer going and they were feeding everyone. We wanted to serve our good friends in Pensacola and they served us. I continue to be humbled and overwhelmed by the generosity of our BRR community. Thank you!
On Sunday (Sept. 29), I reached out to Pensacola, as I did all of the BRR communities, but I didn't hear back until Tuesday afternoon when they finally were able to get their emergency responder transmitter going. "Yes Ken we need help" was the short text that I received. I asked what we could do. I received 2 lists: one list of medical supplies and one list of personal items. At the same time, my wife Kristin is sharing a story about running into her friend Kate who she hasn't seen for 2 years. Kate's brother Matt, who is based in Hurricane, WV flew a load of emergency supplies into the Ashe County airport earlier in the week. I asked Kristin if they had access to a helicopter..."yes". Would he consider a flight into Pensacola..."yes". Could they get these specific supplies..."we'll try". By Wednesday, Matt responded "we have 90% of the needed supplies and we can deliver on Thursday". Matt drove from Hurricane, WV to Hickory, NC with an 18 foot cargo trailer full of supplies. On Wednesday evening I received a text from Aaron in Pensacola..."these are some extra supplies that we need." This morning, as Aaron and I were speaking to clarify quantities of the extra supplies, Aaron said, "a helicopter is landing". Matt and Aaron in the photo below!
General Update: (I think was Thursday...maybe Wednesday)
We were on the roads in Watauga, Mitchell and Yancey Counties Wednesday..and a lot is changing quickly...thankfully. We took supplies into Mitchel and Yancey County triage centers and they are well stocked (at the moment)
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Several main roads have re-opened. When we left Boone in the morning, we did not need to take the back roads. Crews and equipment were rebuilding road shoulders and even re-paving.
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The triage centers in the counties have been getting supplies and are currently well stocked. I’m told that the counties are getting supplies to the remote locations to the local fire departments who are beginning to distribute supplies to their communities. The National Guard was in Mitchell and was loading trucks to take supplies to the remote areas. Supplies will continue to be needed, but the immediate urgent need has calmed.
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In the last 12-18 hours, some of the communities went from having nothing and needing everything, to receiving shipments, including chain saws and supplies for the members of the community. I’ve received several emails and messages from these groups. They’ve gone from survival mode to looking at the future.
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Pensacola: a helicopter delivery into Pensacola is scheduled for today. We’re told that an 18 ft trailer full of supplies will be choppered into Pensacola.
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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.
Giving
There are probably 100 ways to give financially and the need will remain for a while. Below are only a few suggestions. In the coming days, weeks and months, we'll start updating the BRR website Donate page with specific needs from the EZ and community groups, so donations can be made directly to those organizations.
Samaritan's Purse: SP is based in Boone and has had an immediate response to the needs in its hometown community and region. SP is rolling out 500-1000 volunteers each day (and maybe more). This mass volunteer effort will continue indefinitely. My understanding is that donations to SP's Helene Relief efforts will be spread wherever the need is. But the needs are great across Western NC and throughout the Southeast. SP is doing tremendous work.
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!
