Disaster Relief – Hurricanes Helene and Milton

FPC Disaster Response–Helping our Neighbors in Need

Our church has been blessed with resources to help our neighbors in East Tennessee,
Southwest Virginia, and Western North Carolina as they continue to recover from the
devastating hurricane and flood damage sustained in September. The Session is in the process of determining the best ways for our church to be the Hands and Feet of Christ. If you would like to be a part of ongoing recovery efforts, below are just a few of the many resources to consider for both in-person service and monetary donations.

The Nobodies: “The Nobodies is an East TN based volunteer group that believes in the power of everyday people. Operating without seeking recognition, the Nobodies are committed to supporting those most in need and rebuilding lives, one act of kindness at a time.” Visit their Facebook page or contact Lindsay Niewland (423-677-2084) for more information on donations and volunteering.
72: The Mission: A local faith-based organization, 72: The Mission uses Luke 10: 1-2 as their calling: “1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. 2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Donation and volunteer information can be found at www.72themission.com
RISE Erwin: Rejuvenate, Invest, Support, Energize. RISE Erwin provides assistance to
families in Erwin impacted by Hurricane Helene, offering the Help Erwin Heal grant and boots on the ground assistance. Volunteer and donation information available at www.riseerwin.org or via email at riseerwin@gmail.com
Operation Love Thy Neighbor: Based in Duffield, VA, Operation Love Thy Neighbor is committed to restoring and providing donated campers and RVs to families who lost housing in Hurricane Helene. Many families are still living in tents in freezing
temperatures, so this effort is ongoing and timely. Please contact Laura Gilliam Bowen via Facebook or text (423-306-2941) for donation information.
Donation to First Presbyterian Church with a designation for Disaster Relief.

Opportunity knocks!

If you have time and desire to help, there are multiple options to help the local victims of hurricane Helene. There is a Helene Hospitality Network that could use your hands.

The site is www.volunteer-united.org People can register as an individual, or after they register as an individual, they can register together as a “team.” We are currently in big needs of warehouse volunteers at the Bristol Motor Speedway as well as clothes sorting volunteers with Goodwill Industries.

Helping Hands in Warehouse at BMS | Volunteer United This need is for 30 volunteers each four hour shift Monday – Saturday

Disaster Call Center Volunteer | Volunteer United This need is for 7 volunteers each four hour shift Monday – Saturday

Sullivan: Sorting Clothing and Shoe Donations at Goodwill TENNEVA | Volunteer United This need is for 10 volunteers each shift Monday – Friday

Help After Helene

Volunteer Opportunities

Local Volunteer Opportunities in December

Location: TBD in East TN. Will be communicated to you by email 2-3 days in advance.

Dates: December 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 18th, 19th, and 20th

Time: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Capacity: 14 volunteers each day (open to groups and individuals)

Project: Repairing/rehabbing flood affected homes (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

Requirements: These events are open to volunteers who are in high school & up. Youth volunteers must come together with a parent or other adult chaperone. These events are open to volunteers of all skill levels, and staff guidance will be provided on site. Bring your own water, lunch, and snacks. Volunteers should wear long pants and work boots or other sturdy shoes.

Volunteers are asked to be flexible on location (within East TN) and project type.
Registration for each date will close after all spots are reserved.
Please contact us at 423-854-4434 if you need to cancel your registration.
Additional details and project contact information will be sent by email 2-3 days before your reserved date (keep an eye on your spam/junk folders).

GROUPS: If you are registering a group, select that you are the Trip Coordinator and indicate the estimated number of volunteers. Update us ASAP if your count changes. We will send you instructions on how to get the rest of your group members registered under your group number.

INDIVIDUALS: If you are registering as an individual, select that you are the Trip Coordinator, and indicate a group size of “1.”

REGISTER FOR WED. 12/4/24
REGISTER FOR THURS. 12/5/24
REGISTER FOR FRI. 12/6/24
REGISTER FOR SAT. 12/7/24
REGISTER FOR WED. 12/11/24
REGISTER FOR THURS. 12/12/24
REGISTER FOR FRI. 12/13/24
REGISTER FOR WED. 12/18/24
REGISTER FOR THURS. 12/19/24
REGISTER FOR FRI. 12/20/24

Thank you for your willingness to help our neighbors in need after this devastating storm.