Dear Partners:
The impacts of Hurricane Helene are challenging our region, especially with the devastation, loss of life and uncertainties of basic necessities. Our Dogwood team is heartened by all the care and leadership of neighbors reaching out to help neighbors and strangers alike. This is the WNC way. It will take this type of camaraderie to get through this.
We are relieved to share that all of our staff and board members are safe and accounted for at this time. We know that many people continue to anxiously await word from loved ones and are grateful for everyone working to help in this effort.
Dogwood anticipates the response to this unnatural event will take both short-term relief and long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts. Dogwood is committed to both and helping communities through the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
As a first step, Dogwood is working with the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina and WNC Bridge Foundation to make immediate relief funds available. Today, we are elevating the statement below about the Emergency and Disaster Response Fund (EDRF), which will accept and disburse funds for regional response and relief efforts in the Qualla Boundary and 18 counties of Western North Carolina. The Dogwood team is also working with local, regional and national partners to attract additional capital and contributions to the region.
Later this week, Dogwood will announce its contribution to the EDRF along with additional contributions to organizational partners for short-term relief. We will continue to announce more contributions for medium- to long-term recovery efforts across Western North Carolina in the coming days and weeks.
Please stay safe, stay strong and continue our WNC tradition of pulling together to help all of our neighbors through these challenging times.
———————-
CFWNC Statement About the Emergency and Disaster Response Fund:
The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC), Dogwood Health Trust and WNC Bridge Foundation are working to mount a coordinated response to the crisis caused by Hurricane Helene. CFWNC has activated its Emergency and Disaster Response Fund to accept and disburse funds supporting a regional response and relief efforts in 18 counties of Western North Carolina including the Qualla Boundary. Funds will ensure that frontline nonprofits have the resources they need for the critical early response and continuing recovery.
These funders have pulled together before to address serious issues facing Western North Carolina. Numerous private foundations, corporate foundations, businesses, generous individuals and, of course, community foundation colleagues have reached out to assist and support this relief effort. Additional details about the Fund, grants and donors will be shared as soon as it is possible.
The extent of the damage and needs in our region is only beginning to be understood. Communications challenges and very difficult conditions on the ground continue to be factor. Recovery will be a long process. People who wish to support aid to those affected can donate to the Emergency and Disaster Response Fund at www.cfwnc.org. Administrative fees are waived so that every dollar goes directly to assistance.
