We’ve seen a lot of people pitching in to help out people affected by Hurricane Helene. That’s a great thing because there are still so many people in a lot of need and some of the areas are going to have issues for a while, trying to get everything back on line.
Now, this is just a short list of non-government people and organizations that have stepped in. There are a ton of folks who have been helping out, including so many local folks on the ground–and we thank all of them for their efforts.
Former President Donald Trump started a Go Fund Me to help out victims. Former Sen. Kelly Loeffler donated $500,000 to it, and it now has raised almost $6.5 million for charities helping out in the area; some of the money has already been disbursed.
The incomparable Dolly Parton has donated $1 million of her own money, and that has also been matched by other charities and organizations with which she is involved, raising the total to $2 million. The money is going to the Mountain Ways Foundation, which will go to providing immediate assistance:
Today @DollyParton puts a twist on her famous song ‘Jolene’ to announce relief for victims of Helene. She and her companies are offering up a combined $2 million to help those in need. @wbir pic.twitter.com/W8F3ZoPTOu
— Brittany Bailey (@BrittBaileyTV) October 4, 2024
NEWS
Dolly Parton says she’s donating $1 million “from my own personal bank account,” towards Hurricane Helene recovery efforts.
She adds that her various businesses and foundation are matching her personal donation with another $1 million. pic.twitter.com/Y3kp3QD7tO
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) October 4, 2024
Parton also announced a partnership with Walmart, which is donating $10 million.
We’ve spoken about Elon Musk delivering a lot of Starlink systems to the area so people are not cut off, and are able to communicate. Ivanka Trump was among the people helping with that delivery, along with the Love and Light Foundation. My colleague Jennifer Oliver O’Connell wrote about the tremendous efforts of Jordan Seidhom and his son and co-pilot, Landon, flying in to help rescue people.
READ MORE: A Helicopter Pilot’s Rescue of a Couple Shows Everything Wrong With the Government’s Response to Helene
Biden, Harris Comments in Hurricane-Affected Area Raise Questions and Anger; Elon Wrecks Them in Tweet
There are a lot of folks and organizations doing boots-on-the-ground work, including search and rescue folks (you can see one SAR person and his dog in the featured picture), Samaritan’s Purse, Mercury One, and the United Cajun Navy. Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL) has been there for days helping with flights, which are making welfare checks, and providing medicine, and supplies:
Quick Update: Day 3
Bringing in more supplies. This is approx 5 tons of supplies (water, food, diapers, non perishables, meds, oxygen) over last 3 days. Will provide a wrap-up later today.
Western NC you’re not forgotten and I’m in bound with more support. God bless 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/5F9gWB4BJg
— Cory Mills (@CoryMillsFL) October 2, 2024
Then there are the mules and their riders. Because some of the areas are remote and the roads are wiped out, mules are one of the few ways of getting in over the terrain.
Cajun Navy 2016 partnered with Mountain Mule Packers, which provided food, water, medicine, and ice.
From Mountain Mule Packer Ranch:
“Here is a little bit of video showing why vehicles are not going to get through some of these areas. This was near Swannanoa, NC. Heavy equipment will definitely get this cleared, but in the meantime mules can carry gear through here quickly!… pic.twitter.com/cGAevQXEri
— Huggins🎗️ (@Huggins2687) October 4, 2024
Thanks to all these folks for caring about their fellow Americans, and to anyone else who has helped that I didn’t mention.
