Hurricane Helene: How You Can Lend a Hand

In 2019, when so many Abaconians lost their homes, livelihoods and communities to Hurricane Dorian, countless foreigners — many from the southeastern United States — rendered assistance.

Some came as part of formal NGOs. Others, feeling compelled to help, organized church and community groups and made their way to Abaco.

Thousands more contributed funds, food, water, relief and building supplies, generators, clothing, bedding and so much more.

Sadly, this week, some of these folks have had their own lives turned upside down by Hurricane Helene.

Hundreds of people are confirmed dead or remain missing across six states. Entire towns and communities have been destroyed. Thousands of people have lost literally everything but their lives.

Thankfully, some of the organizations and individuals who’ve played such a vital role in Abaco’s recovery to date are now on the ground helping Helene victims. We hope you’ll consider supporting their work if you’re able. They include:

• World Central Kitchen
• Sol Relief
• Samaritan’s Purse
• Water Mission
• Global Empowerment Mission
• Red Cross
• All Hands and Hearts
• Heart to Heart International
• Team Rubicon

We also want to recognize the efforts of the following folks who are assisting with Helene relief:

• In the current issue of Abaco Sun, we tell the story of a group of American doctors who, having lost their Abaco vacation homes to Dorian, returned to Green Turtle Cay to provide vital medical care to residents. Now, two of those doctors, Pam and Ed Mobley, have had their Tennessee hometown all but destroyed by Helene. When asked how her Abaco friends could lend a hand, Pam shared this Help Erwin Heal GoFundMe page.

• Another couple with ties to Abaco, Geoff and Christy Flynt of Boone, NC, have been working non-stop to help the folks of Boone, Watauga, and Ashe Counties, all of which have been devastated. Christy says that people are struggling to access even the basic necessities. She’s established a Hurricane Helene Relief GoFundMe page to raise funds to purchase clean water, food, baby formula, diapers, hygiene supplies, etc. Alternatively, items can be ordered online and shipped to Geoff Flynt c/o 8369 US Hwy 421 S, Deep Gap, North Carolina, USA, 28618.

• After seeing the damage wrought by Hurricane Dorian on the northern Bahamas, then-seven-year-old Shelby Hires wanted to help. With assistance from her mom Chery, Shelby collected donations and supplies enough to send 265 fully loaded back-to-school backpacks to the children of Abaco. Later that same year, with the help of donors, she was able to send 150+ stockings and 220+ Christmas gifts to Abaco kids. Shelby and Chery have now established an Amazon Wish List of relief items that they’ll be delivering to residents of Avery County, NC. You can learn more at Shelby’s Mission.

• If you’re in Abaco, Abaco Big Bird is accepting cash donations toward hurricane relief efforts in the Carolinas.

We hope you’ll join us in sending love to all affected by Hurricane Helene, and sending support and thanks to all those lending aid. Please feel free to share this page with anyone who might be able to offer assistance.

Abaco Sun is not affiliated with any of the above organizations or individuals, nor are we in a position to formally audit or endorse any of them. You should always do your own due diligence and ensure your own comfort level before contributing to any charitable organization or relief group.