Help Deliver Hope: Relief Riders for Helene Recovery!
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Western North Carolina needs your help, and together, we can make a difference.
On September 25, 2024, Hurricane Helene tore through Asheville and Buncombe County, leaving devastation in its wake. Homes, businesses, and entire communities were destroyed. By September 28, President Joe Biden declared North Carolina in a state of emergency. With damages potentially costing billions, recovery will be a long and difficult process—but the people of Western North Carolina are resilient. And we’re stepping up to lend a hand in the most impactful way we can.
My name is Cortina Jenelle Caldwell, and this one is personal for me. I’ve called Asheville and Buncombe County home for over a decade, though I'm originally from Burke County, "just down the mountain" as we say, an area also affected by Helene. These mountains are where my heart is, and my loved ones, neighbors, and friends have been deeply affected by this disaster. That’s why I’m organizing Relief Riders, a community-driven initiative designed to bring relief to those hardest hit by Hurricane Helene.
Our Mission: We’re raising $29,670 to purchase 20 Euro 49cc scooters and helmets. And an additional $2,500 to mobilize our "Relief Riders" with fuel and protective gear. These scooters will serve two vital purposes:
- Relief Riders Fleet: 10 scooters will be used by local volunteers who want to assist in delivering water, groceries, medical supplies, or even offering companionship to those grieving the loss of loved ones. We’ll be delivering more than just supplies—we’ll be delivering hope.
- Scooter Donations to Frontline Workers: The remaining 10 scooters will be given to community members in Asheville and Buncombe County who lost their vehicles to the hurricane. These recipients are our nurses, firefighters, EMTs, social workers, mental health professionals, and first responders—everyday heroes who continue to serve, despite their own hardships.
(photo shows cost of every 10 scooters, adult helmets are $59.52 each)
Why Scooters? In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, many roads are difficult to navigate, many people have lost their primary mode of transportation, and all public transit routes have not yet reopened. Scooters offer an efficient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly way to navigate, allowing us to reach people in need faster.
But we need your help to get these wheels turning—literally.
Our Goal: We need to raise $29,670 to purchase the scooters and helmets, which we'd like to do by October 31, 2024—before winter weather sets in. We can only place orders for 10 scooters at a time so the first 10 will be for the deliveries and support mentioned, and the second order will be for the 10 we'll give away.
And there's an additional $2,500 being asked to provide gloves, hand warmers and fuel for the "Relief Riders". The sooner we meet our goal, the sooner we can place the order and get the "Relief Riders" out into the community, helping those in need.
What Happens If We Surpass Our Goal? Anything raised beyond $32,170 will go directly toward purchasing winter jackets, insurance and more fuel for the fleet, ensuring that our "Relief Riders" can focus solely on their mission of service throughout the cold months with little out of pocket costs.
How You Can Help:
- Donate what you can—no amount is too small. Every dollar brings us closer to launching "Relief Riders" and supporting our neighbors.
- Share this GoFundMe and my story on social media to help spread the word.
- Get involved! If you’re local and want to volunteer as a "Relief Rider," reach out to me via the Contact button.
Together, we can bring warmth, aid, and comfort to those in desperate need. Let’s show the world what Western North Carolina is made of.
Thank you for being a part of this journey with us. Your support means everything to our community. ❤️ #WNCStrong
Organizer
Cortina Jenelle Caldwell
Organizer
Asheville, NC