About our Fund:
As scholars at The University of North Texas, civic engagement is a part of our curriculum. We are encouraged to find ways to uplift the communities we are a part of. Our team's interests have been focused on the natural disasters taking place across the nation. This campaign specifically is geared towards relief for those affected by the catastrophic results of the recent US Hurricane, Helene. Storms like Helene and Milton have wreaked havoc on many communities, leaving many homeless and without basic needs. A few of the states hit the hardest were Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Both evacuees and those who remain in affected areas have been pushed to the limits of human survival. Many are without homes, food, and clean water, and are dealing with the cleanup and aftermath. Our goal is to alleviate the pain in these communities and provide some resources for hurricane survivors to be able to put their lives back together.
As a team, we are seeking out donations towards our fundraiser to give support to families that are affected by this catastrophic disaster. As citizens of the US, we view the struggle across the nation as our own. We intend to raise money to support many states across the nation as they deal with the consequences of this disaster.
How We Help:
For years, we have seen the catastrophic destruction that hurricanes have caused through towns and cities throughout the U.S. While the total number of storms is increasing, dangerous storms are becoming more common. Any donations received will be donated to the Hurricane Relief Organization by GoFundMe. This organization provides support to individuals who need assistance within 24 hours after a hurricane. They administer grants to verified people who are affected by the U.S. Hurricanes. These grants are for individuals in need and may also be used to provide grants benefiting small businesses and community relief efforts, or to vetted nonprofits coordinating long-term recovery.
Who We Help:
We will support Hurricane Relief by granting funds to those who have lost their homes and necessities. We will be donating to those who are without homes or electricity. We will also be donating to those who have no food, are seeking shelter, or need rental assistance. Our donations may also be used in clean-up efforts or for home repairs. The issues that we support are homelessness, food insecurity, and poverty among others.
Why Donate:
According to an article published by NPR, the storm and its aftermath have caused 1,000 landslides and damaged over 160 water and sewer systems. An estimated 126,000 homes were reported damaged in North Carolina alone. This is only a small fraction of the devastation incurred by Hurricane Helene. (NPR, 2024). Furthermore, natural disasters have the potential to cause major loss of life in addition to property damage.
As of now, it is estimated as many as 230 people have died as a result of the storms, and there are still an estimated 500 people or more missing. (NBC News, 2024)
In the wake of a hurricane, people have been left jobless, hungry, and poor. Our efforts and outreach are designed to give them the assistance they need while they put their lives back together. We are hoping these donations make a difference in Americans’ lives. Together, we plan to raise awareness for those who have been affected by the storm. As a part of this project, we will understand why civic engagement is important. Ask yourself this question, if you were in their shoes, wouldn’t you want someone to help you as well?
Thank you for supporting our GoFundMe project to cater to those in need. Any donations are appreciated and can go a long way towards helping individuals all around the U.S. Natural disasters are one of many situations that bring us together as a nation to give ourselves to a cause bigger than ourselves.
Please visit redcross.org for more ways to help or to schedule a blood donation, or the website for the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, NVOAD.org. FEMA also recommends reaching out to state volunteer organizations for more information on ways to help. You can also visit the FEMA website to learn more about how you can get more involved.
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