We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of you who have reached out, expressing your desire to support our efforts during this challenging time since Hurricane Helene. Your kindness and compassion mean the world to us and those we serve.
For those who would like to help, we have a few options that are particularly helpful:
1. Amazon Emergency Needs List
We have created a special Hurricane Relief Supply List on Amazon, which includes essential items that we can receive through limited shipments in the mountains. Your contributions from this list will directly support our immediate needs.
2. Drop-Off (to Winston-Salem) Donations List
For those who prefer to make physical donations, we are accepting these items at our Winston-Salem campus located at 1001 Reynolda Road. Donations can be dropped off between 9 AM and 4 PM, Monday through Friday. If you would like to send these items directly to Winston-Salem (Amazon, Walmart, Target, etc) – please feel free to do so and just list the shipping address as “Crossnore Relief Efforts, 1001 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27104.”
3. Disaster Relief Fund
In addition, we have launched a “Disaster Relief Fund” to support our people and long-term recovery efforts. You may designate your donation by clicking on the “Crossnore Disaster Relief Fund” option.
Message from Crossnore CEO, Brett Loftis from October 1, 2024.
Crossnore Friends,
The devastation in the NC mountains from Hurricane Helene is unimaginable. As photos are posted and folks are able to come back online, we’ll see more and more the widespread effects of this storm. The extent of this tragedy, lives claimed, and damage done are not yet known. The weeks and months to come will be long, heartbreaking, and costly to so many people in western North Carolina.
First and foremost, we want to let you know that all the children in our care, both campus-based and in our community foster program, are safe. Their caregivers are safe and working hard to meet their needs. All of our amazing staff are banding together to cook meals, begin clean up efforts, entertain children, assess needs, and organize disaster efforts. As you can imagine, being without power, having limited communication, no internet, and unable to leave campus are trying. I’m so impressed with our Crossnore family and how we’ve been able to care for one another.
Please pray for strength, energy, and patience for both children and staff. Please pray for our staff who are away from their homes and families and for those who have lost so much. We are constantly assessing needs and will let you know as material supply needs arise. At this time, we ask that you do not try to come to our Avery campus. We need the roads clear for emergency crews.
Please know that amidst it all, children are still having fun and finding joy in the chaos. We are busy with arts and crafts, board games, pickleball, and more games of Uno than we can count.
We are grateful for your kindness, compassion, and desire to help. The path to recovery will be long, and we know we can lean on you for support in the days, weeks, and months to come. We will continue to provide updates as they become available.
Thank you for providing hope and healing for the children and families we serve, even in the worst of times.
With love and gratitude,
Brett Loftis, CEO