What to Know and How to Help
Tropical Storm Helene Disaster Relief
Unicoi Christian Church has largely been spared from the damage and suffering wreaked by our region's recent tropical storm disaster. In order to better inform efforts to serve and furnish relief resources, we have summarized the efforts of our congregation and other trusted organizations in one place.
What's Going On?
Tropical Storm Helene crashed through the region of Northeast Tennessee and Western North Carolina between Thursday, Sept 26th and Saturday, Sept 28th. Record levels of rainfall rushed down NC mountains into TN rivers, sparking fears of dam collapse as torrential waterways tore through towns and roadways.
On Friday, Sept. 27th, Governor Bill Lee declared a national state of emergency, and disaster relief efforts are in full swing in numerous counties. Unicoi Christian Church is particularly close to the town of Erwin, where a stretch of I-26 was torn apart by the flooded Nolichucky River (pictured left). Infrastructural damage in the region is severe, but our schools, churches, and neighborhoods
are coming together admirably to adapt and recover.
What Are We Doing?
Unicoi Christian Church is partnering with Unicoi County Care & Share to distribute donations. Moving forward, Care & Share's Erwin location at 344 Carolina Ave. will the the primary distribution site.
NEW UPDATE:
This coming week we are transitioning traffic to the Erwin Care & Share location. Our fellowship hall will be open by appointment only as we continue to supply and transition items over the Care & Share Erwin location.
Please visit their website for more details and their hours:
We are no longer taking donations but re-directing donations to the central collection point for the Tri-Cities which is Bristol Motor Speedway. For their hours of operation you can visit:
https://www.bristolmotorspeedway.com/events/northeast-tennessee-disaster-relief-center/
We are still accepting financial donations for local disaster relief efforts. (Simply hover over our website's "More" drop-down menu, click "Give," and specify that your gift is for "Disaster Relief.") Material donations that we have received are being distributed to victims and crisis workers in Erwin and North Carolina on an ongoing basis.
Who's Helping in Unicoi County?
Unicoi County Care & Share is a trusted benevolence organization in the heart of Erwin, TN, that is engaged in comprehensive benevolence work and community organization efforts. Visit their website for info on giving, serving, and finding local humanitarian services:
https://uccareandshare.org
Appalachian Christian Camp (Unicoi, TN) is currently housing crisis volunteers and displaced families within its facilities and helping groups connect with other service organizations. Visit their website to give, serve, or secure
lodging for your service group: https://campacc.com/
The nonprofit RISE Erwin is collaborating with a local business to fund-raise for emergency storm relief. Visit their page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-erwin-heal-support-flood-recovery-efforts
The Unicoi County YMCA is offering
free childcare for youths ages 5-17,
from 7am — 6pm, through Friday, October 11.
Unicoi County Middle School & UC High School are primary points of contact for relief work & temporary housing. Various other organizations, including Temple Hill Elementary School and Centenary United Methodist Church, are also hard at work serving Unicoi County. Many organizations in Unicoi County are now redirecting donations to the Bristol Motor Speedway, which is operating
from 8am — 6pm, Sunday — Saturday.
Specific needs and volunteer opportunities can be reported through the regional disaster relief hotline: 423 830-2696
Who's Helping in Carter County?
TEMA is working with the Carter County Parks & Rec Dept to receive and distribute physical donations. They have partnered with multiple organizations for additional drop-off and service sites and are looking for more volunteer workers, especially during morning service hours. Follow them at https://www.face-book.com/elizabethtonparks-andrecreation, or donate to support the effort at https://easttennesseefoundation.org/
The ARM Food Pantry is helping distribute numerous essentials: https://www.armfoodpantry.com/
The International Disaster Emergency Service is partnering with the First Christian Church of Elizabethton to coordinate volunteer efforts. Follow them at https://www.facebook.com/fccelizabethton, or donate to this partnering relief organization at https://ides.org/
Find more resources at https://wcqr.org/disaster-relief/