SUMMERVILLE, SC (December 23, 2024) |
Two months have passed since the near record-breaking Hurricane Helene wrought havoc across portions of Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina. At its height, the storm rendered over 2 million homes without power, with a quarter-million households enduring a wait of up to two weeks to have their utilities restored.
In response to the unprecedented situation, REV, with its longstanding history of supporting and positively impacting the community during times of crisis, has established the Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief Fund. The fund raised $1,860 from member donations, with the organization matching eligible donations on a dollar-for dollar basis through the month of November, rounding out the donation to a total of $4,000.
"We needed to come together to help communities recover," said Kelly Nix, Public Relations Coordinator at REV. "The scale of destruction and the toll Helene has taken on our communities has been immense, and these donations will help replenish resources for relief organizations already mobilized on the ground, serving the community during this challenging time."
Donations have been deployed to assist nonprofit partners MANNA FoodBank and the Diaper Bank of North Carolina in addressing critical needs such as emergency food and water, while also supporting long-term rebuilding and recovery efforts. According to a state budget report by Governor Roy Cooper's administration, the catastrophic flooding and destruction caused by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina likely resulted in at least a record $53 billion in damages and recovery needs.
The Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief Fund, alongside its employee and member giving campaign, reflects REV's core values and commitment to building resilient communities, as demonstrated through the organization’s track record of extensive nonprofit givebacks and community-focused initiatives.