Hurricane Helene Relief, Recovery & Solidarity
The FCC does not allow a community radio station to fundraise for any other entity, other than itself. During the devastating flooding in Vermont last year, Vermont Public got a special waiver to work with the Vermont Community Foundation to raise relief funds.
We are watching with heavy hearts what has happened in the wake of Hurricane Helene across the South and mid-Atlantic.
The following are ways to help relief efforts in these areas.
Appalachian Helene Response Fund, a coordinated effort of community funders in the area that will channel resources directly to the areas of greatest need throughout the region. Information at AppalachiaFunders.org or give directly to the fund here.
Buncombe County (which includes Asheville and surrounding areas) is taking volunteer requests, donations, equipment, and other offers of help via its Instagram page.
Firestorm Coop (a worker-owned cooperative in Asheville) is organizing local activists in Buncombe County for mutual aid, including direct donation support "via Cash App and Venmo. See their Instagram link for more.
JM Pro Community Media, a gross roots nonprofit serving immigrant communities in Western North Carolina is covering the hurricane recovery, including ways to help (coverage is in Spanish).
WGDR/WGDH Programmer DJ Effery is collecting donations to drive to Newport, TN in the next few days to deliver to those in need.
World Central Kitchen - volunteer or donate to their efforts to feed folks in need in the effected areas, including first responders.
We will add more as we are able to collect it. All information in the greater Ashville, NB area is vetted directly by our community radio partners at AshvilleFM. Their station is off the air due to power but is intact. Most places are using social media accounts because the internet is still down, but limited cell phone coverage and bandwidth for that is coming back up.
Thank you to all from Vermont who are organizing and preparing to help those throughout this region with immediate help and on the long road to recovery.
