Help after Irene: Give to the NCCF Disaster Relief Fund

Hurricane Irene left a path of downed trees and power lines. Tarboro, like towns throughout the state’s eastern and coastal regions, begins the clean-up process. Photo from the Rocky Mount Telegram and used with permission.

We have either lived through the trauma or seen the photos and video of the devastating one-two punch that water and high winds delivered in the name of Irene.

The storm that seemed to park over North Carolina for more than 24-hours has left untold damages throughout our coastal areas and eastern region. Many of these counties have not yet recovered from the April tornados.

Homes and businesses were destroyed and crops have been ruined. Schools, colleges and universities have been forced to temporarily close. And parts of the Outer Banks are completely cut off.

“Hurricane Irene is being talked about in terms of historical proportions,” said Peggy Birkemeier, Northeastern Regional Associate, whose home sustained significant damages in the hurricane. “We don’t even know the extent of the damages to our region.”

While Irene was described as a “tropical storm” inland, her fury was nonetheless pronounced. Water and winds fell ancient trees on roads and through homes and businesses.

Clean up has just begun. Rebuilding will go on for months, maybe longer. Here’s how you can help:

Give to the North Carolina Community Foundation Statewide Disaster Relief Fund. Credit card donations can be made online through the NCCF website or by downloading a contribution form. Checks can be mailed to the NCCF headquarters office in Raleigh at 4601 Six Forks Road, Suite 524, Raleigh, NC 27609. Please designate your gift for Hurricane Irene victims.

All contributions are tax-deductible, and no portion of the NCCF Disaster Relief Fund will be used for the Foundation’s administrative or operational expenses. NCCF encourages recipient agencies to also waive any fees associated with distribution of its Disaster Relief Fund.

NCCF has allocated $105,000 to the state’s April tornado victims from the statewide Disaster Relief Fund.

For more information contact the NCCF headquarters office in Raleigh at 800-201-9533 or info@nccommunityfoundation.org

If you were not in Irene’s path, please join us in helping to get our state back on its feet.

www.nccommunityfoundation.org