UUCFers, you’ve heard me talk a lot about my previous life in North Carolina. I lived in Greensboro, NC from 2005-2016. I was also born in Fayetteville (we moved when I was two). When I lived in NC as an adult I LOVED going to the mountains – basically anywhere in Western NC. Asheville is awesome, but so is Black Mountain, Boone, Hendersonville, and so many other small towns in the mountains. When I lived in NC nothing made me happier than pointing the car west, driving for two hours and being in the mountains.
This week I have had a hard time focusing because I know people who live there or have property there. Thankfully everyone I know is okay physically. They still don’t have electricity, internet, water, basic food, etc but they are alive. I am so grateful.
And, I am so very sad. Words are inadequate to express the horror and trauma that folks must be going through. It will be years before life is “normal” again.
I know there are many asks for donations happening now so I thought I’d share a few options at the bottom of of this post.
The UUA Disaster Relief Fund is working hard to get resources out to UU congregations in need.
In addition, the UU Congregation in Atlanta is collecting items they are bringing to organizations in the area.
The UU church of Asheville still doesn’t have electricity or water but thankfully their structure isn’t damaged. However, many of their members have lost everything they own, and sadly some are still unaccounted for.
Giving this way I promise will go to people directly. People are in desperate need. Please help if you can.
This picture below is for the algorithm. It is of me and my wife Michelle at a UU retreat center in Hendersonville, aptly named “The Mountain.” It was taken in March 2011. Ironically we were there for a work weekend. I’ve heard that the center itself is okay, but that’s because they are very high up. As of four days ago they were dealing with downed trees and electric wires.
In Spirit,
Rev Karen Madrone
This is the link to give to the UU Church of Asheville. Please put “Hurricane Helene” in the memo field:
This is the link to the UUA Disaster Relief Fund.
This is the link to give to the UU Church of Atlanta’s efforts to bring food and supplies to local organizations.
This is the Minister’s Discretionary Fund for the UU Church of St. Petersburg, FL. They are in need and giving funds to members and friends.