The Hurricane Helene Community Crisis Fund is growing due to generous donations from across the county.
Created on Sept. 27 by the Community Foundation for the CSRA (CFCSRA), it got an Oct. 3 cash infusion of a $5 million contribution from the Augusta National Golf Club and the Foundation.
“But since then, we now have foundations out of Atlanta that are giving to it. We have individuals who have contributed to that fund from over 40 states,” Rebecca Wallace, Vice President of Programs for CFCSRA, told ABD.
A Friday news release, although not providing exact numbers, said millions more had been contributed by individuals, organizations, and foundations.
“With the help of philanthropy-serving organizations such as Philanthropy Southeast, the Council on Foundations, and the Georgia Grantmakers Alliance spreading the word, donations began before our local team could even get out of our homes and check on loved ones,” stated the news release.
“The outpouring once people understood that Augusta was impacted the way it was, because it took a long time, and I think a lot of people still don’t quite understand,” said Wallace. “For some reason, that word has not gotten out, and I get it, because the devastation in North Carolina is something we can’t even wrap our brains around. But people here are certainly suffering and hurting.”
Included in the news release was the announcement the fund has paid out its first set of rapid relief and response grants. Fourteen nonprofit organizations will receive a portion of the first $1,595,000 being distributed. Among the organizations are the Boys and Girls Club of Augusta, 143 Ministries, Augusta Locally Grown, the Ronald McDonald House, and the United Way chapters in Augusta and Aiken.
“These nonprofits are working daily on the front lines of this disaster, tarping roofs, cutting down trees, feeding and housing people, supplying generators and fuel, providing childcare so parents can get back to work, and so much more.” The release quoted Shell Berry, President and CEO of CFCSRA. “While the stories we hear are heartbreaking, at the same time, we see our nonprofit, business, and volunteer community coming together, rolling up their sleeves, and pitching in wherever needed.”
“Because right now, we’re just doing the grants for emergency services,” Wallace added. “We’re looking at doing weekly grants, but right now, we’re doing it for literal emergency services. So, right now, we’re paying for things like chainsaws and generators and tarps, water, food, childcare, money so that parents can get back to work.”
CFCSRA said the rapid relief and response grants will continue in the coming weeks. After that, they will move into recovery and stability, leading to rebuilding.
Wallace said her biggest concern is housing, particularly for people in rental housing. She said Augusta is already in a shortage of affordable housing and housing destroyed by Helene will exacerbate the shortage.
To contribute to the Hurricane Helene Community Crisis Fund, visit www.cfcsra.org
Complete list of first-round grant recipients:
- ACTS
- Augusta Locally Grown
- Black Farm Street
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta
- Community Ministries of North Augusta
- Family Connections
- The Family YMCA
- Golden Harvest Food Bank
- 143 Ministries
- Ronald McDonald House
- The Salvation Army of Aiken
- The Salvation Army Augusta Area Command
- United Way of Aiken County
- United Way of the CSRA
