In light of the devastation and destruction that Hurricane Helene left in its path across Western North Carolina, there has been an overwhelming outpouring of support from the Appalachian community. Over the last few weeks, the Appalachian GEAR UP team has seen firsthand the generosity of neighbors, friends, and strangers as they work together to help rebuild and to support the resiliency of our community members.
Staff & school outreach
GEAR UP schools throughout the region suffered a wide range of damage to their school infrastructure and to their communities. GEAR UP Burke County helped to distribute essential supplies to their community members. Appalachian State GEAR UP staff helped clean up downed trees and debris for their neighbors and colleagues and helped deliver clothing to those in need.
Partnership support
Q’Pasa Appalachia has been helping to gather information from around Watauga County and share it with our Latinx Community. GEAR UP Assistant Director for Student Leadership & Family Outreach, Yolanda Adams, has been providing Spanish translation services to multiple organizations in the High Country including Wine to Water. This has been pivotal to helping make sure everyone in our region is aware of the resources available to them during this crisis.
"In the wake of Hurricane Helene, our community has faced unimaginable challenges. Through Q’Pasa Appalachia and my work with organizations like Wine to Water, we’re doing everything we can to build bridges and close gaps by providing critical, reliable information to our Latino(e/x) community. In times like these, it’s more important than ever to ensure that every person has access to the resources they need to rebuild and heal. We’re in this together, and our focus remains on the well-being and resilience of our community," said Yolanda Adams.
Reich College of Education and other partners are working together to connect schools from the eastern and western sides of the state in an Adopt-A-School initiative. To aid in the recovery process, we have launched a coordinated effort, enabling individuals to adopt schools in a way that minimizes additional burdens on those affected. Schools that would like to be adopted can complete this form and schools that would like to provide support and adopt a school should complete this form.
(Washington High School in Beaufort County adopted Watauga High School earlier this month)
One of our GEAR UP partners, Thinking Maps, made a generous monetary donation to the American Red Cross specifically to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts in western North Carolina.
The Leading EDge Learning (LEL) team of Nancy Mangum and Theresa Gibson has supported Empowering Teacher Learning, GEAR UP, and CAP as a long-term partner. In this time of need, they shifted their support to our districts by ordering supplies and sending funds for relief efforts. Nancy drove from Raleigh to Winston-Salem to deliver the supplies then helped a group of CAP staff members shop at Sam’s Club. With LEL’s help and the help of others, they filled 3 pull-behind trailers and a flatbed truck with essential supplies for local fire departments in Ashe County.
(Leading EDge Learning helped provide needed supplies to the Ashe County community)
“Theresa and I have spent the last several years working with educators across Western NC and have come to think of this region as a second home to us. Seeing the destruction and devastation is heartbreaking. Donating supplies and helping the ETL team to support the communities impacted by hurricane Helene was just a small way we could give back. We were inspired to see the response and strength of Appalachia and look forward to continuing to help in the months to come”, said Nancy Mangum.
We are beyond grateful for the resilience and dedication of our GEAR UP team members. Your willingness to step up and support our communities during the recovery process is nothing short of inspiring. Whether it's offering a helping hand, sharing resources, donating everything you can, or just providing comfort to those affected, your efforts are making a real difference. Together we are stronger, and your commitment to making our communities thrive, even in the hardest times, shows the heart and spirit of GEAR UP and this team. Thank you to all who continue to support and uplift our region.
Hurricane Relief
Hurricane Relief