Last updated on October 28, 2024, 1:00am
Please check back for frequent updates.
October 15, 2024: Thank you to those who have responded with contributions of all kinds as we reach out to help the victims of Helene. At this point, we are 'on hold' for taking clothes and supplies until we better assess the needs of agencies and people on the ground. Gifts to the Rector's Discretionary or the Bishop's discretionary are still welcome.
October 9, 2024: Dear Members and Friends at Good Shepherd,
I start this with a two-part prayer:
Gracious and merciful God, we pray for all who have been affected by the devastation of Hurricane Helene—and all who are in the path of Hurricane Milton. Grant safety to those in harm’s way, healing to the suffering, comfort to the grieving, and everlasting rest to the departed. Give strength and protection to all who are and will be engaged in relief and recovery efforts, and help all of us to respond with compassion and generosity, bearing one another’s pain and reflecting your love in the world—as taught and shown by your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thank you for the outpouring of support for our Helene Recovery efforts! We are truly reflecting God’s love…and will continue to do so over the next weeks, months, and years.
So far:
Please remember the people in Florida in your prayers—and all those who have been effected by Helene.
In Faith,
Rob+
October 6, 2024: As we recover and collect ourselves in Cashiers, we are thankful that the church (its people and buildings) are in good shape—and so eager to help. During the past week, during this developing situation, we have been coordinating efforts with local (and some regional) partners to provide services and people-power. We have also been in touch with Bishop José and people in the Diocese of WNC to see where we can help with supplies and people.
Most immediately, people coming and going from Cashiers can buy items (out-of-town) from the list of needed supplies below and bring them to Cashiers, present a receipt to Rob, and get reimbursed. A wonderful gift has been made (and added to) for reimbursements like this, so please, fill up your vehicle! Items in short supply in WNC may be readily available where your traveling from. We will get those items from Good Shepherd to where they are needed in Jackson County and other WNC locations. The Bazaar Barn is presently providing bedding and mattresses and other furniture –and will continue to do so as need presents.
This week, we are working with our Outreach partners to assess their current needs and how best to partner and assist with those partners. As that information comes in, we will keep you posted via email and website. We also know of people who are ‘boots on the ground,’ and we want to give them support in good, targeted ways too. The Diocese of WNC has distribution centers, which you can learn about here, a food truck that is providing meals to first-responders, and anticipates a disaster relief staff-person, courtesy of Episcopal Relief and Development.
Knowing so many want to help, please remember that ‘love is patient;’ we are trying not to duplicate efforts and/or get in other groups’ way. We want to coordinate and support. Recovery from this disaster will take many months and we plan to be there for our WNC neighbors for the long haul.
Check the lists, suggestions, and links below—especially those from Bishop José and the Diocese of WNC, and if you have questions, reach out to Rob, Alison, or Ellen for help or ideas. Through Christ and the Holy Spirit, we are in the faith, hope, and love business—reflecting the love for neighbor from Christ’s love for us. By God’s grace, we will continue to reflect that love from the heart.
October 9, 2024: Dear Members and Friends at Good Shepherd,
I start this with a two-part prayer:
Gracious and merciful God, we pray for all who have been affected by the devastation of Hurricane Helene—and all who are in the path of Hurricane Milton. Grant safety to those in harm’s way, healing to the suffering, comfort to the grieving, and everlasting rest to the departed. Give strength and protection to all who are and will be engaged in relief and recovery efforts, and help all of us to respond with compassion and generosity, bearing one another’s pain and reflecting your love in the world—as taught and shown by your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thank you for the outpouring of support for our Helene Recovery efforts! We are truly reflecting God’s love…and will continue to do so over the next weeks, months, and years.
So far:
- Many have brought in needed items, like water, peanut butter, medicines, sleeping bags, blankets, clothes, other non-perishables and more
- Our first distribution of those items came when Nan Major delivered them to her daughter, Rabon, who is working in Swannanoa, Black Mountain, and other places.
- Our second distribution of those good came when Judy Gray and team took them to Calvary Episcopal Church in Fletcher, NC
- The DOK met in the kitchen to make sweet treats for victims and responders
- Over $35,000 has been donated to my discretionary account, and as a reminder, if you buy items off our list—buy them out of town on your way back to Cashiers, please—I will reimburse you for those items. These funds will be used over time for individuals and agencies, so if you know of someone or some situation, please let me know.
- The Barn sent four carloads of bedding supplies to help now-homeless victims
- The Mattress Ministry is providing bedding
- The vestry met Sunday to discuss a plan of action, which includes reaching out to all of our existing partners in outreach to assess their needs and ways we can help.
- Many of you have just stepped up to help in your own ways. Awesome!
- The Bishop held a Zoom meeting with all clergy on Tuesday to let us know that all clergy are well and accounted for; that 15 churches have had damage and filed insurance claims; that few parishes have reported injuries, but we do know of one death; the Episcopal Relief and Development is already on the scene and will soon provide for WNC a dedicated staff person to be on point for diocesan efforts
Please remember the people in Florida in your prayers—and all those who have been effected by Helene.
In Faith,
Rob+
October 6, 2024: As we recover and collect ourselves in Cashiers, we are thankful that the church (its people and buildings) are in good shape—and so eager to help. During the past week, during this developing situation, we have been coordinating efforts with local (and some regional) partners to provide services and people-power. We have also been in touch with Bishop José and people in the Diocese of WNC to see where we can help with supplies and people.
Most immediately, people coming and going from Cashiers can buy items (out-of-town) from the list of needed supplies below and bring them to Cashiers, present a receipt to Rob, and get reimbursed. A wonderful gift has been made (and added to) for reimbursements like this, so please, fill up your vehicle! Items in short supply in WNC may be readily available where your traveling from. We will get those items from Good Shepherd to where they are needed in Jackson County and other WNC locations. The Bazaar Barn is presently providing bedding and mattresses and other furniture –and will continue to do so as need presents.
This week, we are working with our Outreach partners to assess their current needs and how best to partner and assist with those partners. As that information comes in, we will keep you posted via email and website. We also know of people who are ‘boots on the ground,’ and we want to give them support in good, targeted ways too. The Diocese of WNC has distribution centers, which you can learn about here, a food truck that is providing meals to first-responders, and anticipates a disaster relief staff-person, courtesy of Episcopal Relief and Development.
Knowing so many want to help, please remember that ‘love is patient;’ we are trying not to duplicate efforts and/or get in other groups’ way. We want to coordinate and support. Recovery from this disaster will take many months and we plan to be there for our WNC neighbors for the long haul.
Check the lists, suggestions, and links below—especially those from Bishop José and the Diocese of WNC, and if you have questions, reach out to Rob, Alison, or Ellen for help or ideas. Through Christ and the Holy Spirit, we are in the faith, hope, and love business—reflecting the love for neighbor from Christ’s love for us. By God’s grace, we will continue to reflect that love from the heart.
Give directly to Church of the Good Shepherd relief efforts:
Give directly to the Diocese of Western North Carolina relief efforts:
Other Ways to give monetary donations:
- Click Here Select "Rector Discretionary" from the drop-down menu, and add "Hurricane Helene" in the memo box.
Give directly to the Diocese of Western North Carolina relief efforts:
- Click Here Select "Partners in Mission" from the drop-down menu, and add "Hurricane Helene" in the memo box.
Other Ways to give monetary donations:
- Episcopal Relief & Development: The disaster response team is in contact with the dioceses in all affected areas. Funds collected will be used for long-term relief efforts as well as emergency grants, which are for churches in affected areas that are in a position to respond to needs in their local community. “Your gift will provide our partners on the ground with critical supplies, such as food and water, pastoral care and other urgent needs. You’ll also help us assist with the long-term efforts needed to rebuild and heal.” Donate
- United Way of NC: The UW Helps NC Fund supports immediate response and long-term recovery efforts. This site also provides a search and rescue form, access to a list of donation sites, and a way to apply for relief funds.
- American Red Cross: Working with officials and community partners, almost 1,400 Red Cross disaster workers are focused on providing shelter, food and comfort to thousands with more help on the way. In addition, the Red Cross has deployed more than 45 emergency response vehicles to get help to where needed and about two dozen more are enroute. Where it is safe to do so, Red Cross disaster responders are driving these vehicles throughout affected communities, assessing the damage and distributing meals and relief supplies.” Read more | Read about the American Red Cross response in North Carolina | Donate
First load of items being taken to those in need....October 10, 2024.
|
Please check with these agencies for specific drop-off times.
|
The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd
The Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina
Good Shepherd's Mission Statement
“To reflect God’s love through our Faith in Action”
“To reflect God’s love through our Faith in Action”
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 32 Cashiers, NC 28717 Address: 1448 Highway 107 South Cashiers, North Carolina 28717 Contact Ellen Albright, Parish Administrator Phone: 828-743-2359 Fax: 828-743-9138 Email: [email protected] |
Directions:
From the intersection of US 64 and NC 107 in Cashiers, NC, we are 1.5 miles south on NC 107, on the right, and across the street from the entrance to High Hampton Inn. |