Volunteer Opportunities
As an industry, we know this is going to be a lengthy process for so many communities in western North Carolina to rebuild following the September 27, 2024 devastation from Hurricane Helene.
Volunteers, both skilled and non-skilled labor, are needed to help with these efforts. Jim Sandknop is coordinating rebuilding teams for our association. Several builders have committed to lead teams. We are working with established groups in western NC to help those with the greatest needs.
If you would like to volunteer to help as these opportunities become available, please sign up below. We will send information with proposed dates and the scope of work to be accomplished. Most trips will be 2-3 days with accommodations provided. Initial trips this spring are focusing on roof repairs. Assistance with framing and rebuilding homes will occur later this spring and summer.
Upcoming Trip: April 7-9 Spruce Pine – Our focus will be on helping homeowners get their roofs replaced and/or repaired…as many homes still have tarps in place. Skilled and non-skilled labor needed.
Background Information:
The catastrophic effects of Hurricane Helene on western North Carolina on September 27, 2024 were unimaginable. It was initially reported damages exceed $53 billion across the 29 western counties of our state…126,000 homes damaged…there were 1400 landslides…1000 bridges will need to be rebuilt…160 water systems will need to be repaired or replaced…and 6000 miles of roads will need to be reconstructed. Complete towns were destroyed…the rebuilding process is going to take years for many of these communities.
We are so appreciative of all the ways our members stepped up to help provide immediate relief and supplies for impacted communities…making financial contributions…and providing general labor to help with clean-up efforts. Mission and faith groups were immediately in place focused on general recovery and clean up. Emphasis for the first few months was on helping people get in some form of housing to get through the winter, including RVs and trailers. Assessments of homes and buildings continues with most rebuilding efforts starting in the spring.
NCHBA Hurricane Recovery Fund
The North Carolina Home Builders Association initiated a Hurricane Recovery fund with an initial $100,000 contribution. These funds are being used to help industry members across western NC as they start the process of rebuilding their businesses. The Greensboro Builders Association contributed $5,000 to this fund. Contributions have exceeded $ 500,000 to date.
You can make a donation by clicking this link or send a check payable to the NCHBA Educational and Charitable Foundation – mail to 5580 Centerview Drive, Suite 415, Raleigh, NC 27606.
Applications for Recovery Grants are can be found on the NCHBA Hurricane Helene Recovery page. Grants are being reviewed and allocated weekly ranging from $1,000 – $5,000.
NCHBA also partnered with the Raleigh-based US Veterans Corps to assist with relief efforts in western NC. The US Veterans Corps traveled back and forth to communities affected by Hurricane Helene to deliver supplies, prepare meals and more since day one. NCHBA committed $25,000 to assist with their travel expenses.
Donations of Supplies
Special thanks to MI-BOX Mobile Storage for providing a storage unit at our office…and to all the members who dropped off donations. Supplies were distributed to communities with the greatest needs.
Watch for additional information and updates on rebuilding initiatives on this page and in Member News emails.