What to Know and How to Help
Tropical Storm Helene Disaster Relief
It has been over 6 months now since Hurricane Helene caused such damage and devastation in our county. Unicoi Christian Church has continued to be closely involved in the on-going disaster recovery and relief efforts as we transition from short-term to long-term recovery.
There are still many needs! We have volunteer teams coming regularly from other churches and organizations helping in various capacities and so many that have donated so generously to the recovery effort. We want to extend a HUGE thank-you to so many who have assisted in the on-going effort. If you are interested in helping with the continued process of recovery - keep scrolling and check-out the ways in which you can help!
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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.
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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:
Unicoi Christian is no longer acting as an active distribution site (and are no longer taking physical donations) - we are continuing to partner with Erwin Care & Share location.
Please visit their website for more details and their hours:
https://uccareandshare.org/​​
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Unicoi Christian Church is also participating in Unicoi County's Long-Term Recovery Group and we encourage people if they want to give financially to either send support monies to Care & Share or the Unicoi County Long-Term Recovery Group.
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You can find their website and giving pages here:
https://www.unicoicountyltrg.org/
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Who's Helping in Unicoi County?
So many churches and organizations have been helping in so many ways! But we are grateful to be partnered with Unicoi County Care & Share. 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
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/
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The ARM Food Pantry is helping distribute numerous essentials: https://www.armfoodpantry.com/
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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/
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Find more resources at https://wcqr.org/disaster-relief/
