The recent impacts of Hurricane Helene have left us all heartbroken as many parts of East Tennessee, western North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, and South Carolina have been completely devastated, including the loss now over 175 lives. As a result, we've had many people asking about how they can send support or help the victims of this storm.

To the best of our ability, we have tried to compile a variety of links below that are accepting either monetary or item donations. If you have any questions about donations, please contact the organizations linked below.

How You Can Help

Per TEMA, impacted counties do not have the capability to receive material donations or additional volunteers at this time. Do not self-deploy; it hinders disaster relief operations in impacted counties.

Stay up to date:

TEMA Hurricane Helene webpage

FEMA Hurricane Helene webpage

Donations - Money

Currently, monetary donations are the best way to help as they can be deployed quickly and flexibly to meet changing needs.

Northeast Tennessee: Click here to donate to the United Way of East Tennessee Highlands Disaster Relief Fund.

Western North Carolina: Click here to donate to the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County Disaster Relief Fund.

Southeastern United States: United Way Worldwide has established a fund to direct resources to local United Ways addressing critical needs across affected states. Click here to donate.

Donations - Items

Please see below for the most up-to-date list of donation centers. Before bringing supplies, please contact the county to determine what the communities' needs are:

JOHNSON COUNTY - (423) 727-2507

Best centralized resource: Emergency Management Services
http://www.johnsoncountytn.gov/

Drop Site & Pick Up
Former National Guard Armory
1923 S. Shady St
Mountain City, TN 37683
Hours: 9AM-7PM

Accepted items for Johnson County:
Flashlights
Batteries
Trash Bags
Glove both (medical & work)
Shampoo/Body Wash/Hand Soap
Deodorant (men's & women's)
Rubbing Alcohol
Band Aids
UNOPENED and IN DATE Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Etc.
Wet Wipes
Charcoal
Small Propane Tanks
Gas cans and gift cards for fuel
Cleaning Supplies
Candles

Absolutely no clothing accepted at this time in Johnson County.

CARTER COUNTY - (423) 542-1801

Elizabethton Parks and Rec
300 West Mill Street
8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

UNICOI COUNTY - (423) 743-9391

Donation Drop-Off Centers:

Evergreen Free Will Baptist Church
910 Hoback Street Erwin, TN 
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Unicoi County High School
700 S Mohawk Dr, Erwin, TN 37650

Donation Pick up sites:

Southside Freewill Baptist Church
1313 Chestoa Pike Erwin, TN

Temple Hill Elementary School
797 Old Hwy Road Erwin, TN

Flag Pond School
917 Old Asheville Highway Flag Pond, TN
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WASHINGTON COUNTY - (423) 753-1850

Crossroads Baptist Church 
1300 Suncrest Dr. Johnson City, TN
9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (seven days a week)

Volunteering

TEMA urges civilians not to self-deploy to disaster areas, as road conditions remain dangerous and unplanned arrivals can hinder organized relief efforts.

The American Red Cross is recruiting volunteers to support temporary shelters in Northeast Tennessee. Training is required. Click here for more information.

Please check the United Way volunteer webpage as volunteer opportunities become available.

Also check the Hurricane Helene page on the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) webpage for opportunities.