Hope and a helping hand: How the industry is stepping up in the wake of Hurricane Helene

HIGH POINT — Relief and recovery efforts are ongoing after Hurricane Helene devastated parts of the Southeastern United States, including western North Carolina, where the furniture industry has a significant presence.

Here are several ways the industry is contributing to recovery efforts in the Carolinas and beyond, along with a list of reputable charitable organizations operating on the ground in affected areas that companies and individuals might consider supporting in the days and weeks ahead.

Retailers and manufacturers provide assistance

Furnitureland South, a Top 100 retailer based in Jamestown, N.C., has partnered with Operation Airdrop to provide critical relief for communities in western North Carolina affected by the hurricane. The retailer is purchasing and delivering essential supplies such as baby wipes, diapers, cleaning supplies and pet food to those impacted by the disaster. Donations can be made at its Jamestown location, and financial contributions also are accepted. For more information, click here.

Several industry executives in western North Carolina have updated sister publication Furniture Today on their operations and how their firms are contributing to recovery efforts:

• Alex Reeves, president of Taylorsville-based Craftmaster Furniture, noted extensive damage in his area and said his company is collecting donations to deliver with its trucks to areas where roads are passable.
• Zack Taylor, of Hickory-based Wesley Hall, said that while his factory was able to operate normally for all but a few hours during the storm, one of his New England-based retailers is donating a portion of its monthly proceeds to relief efforts.
• Another Hickory-based company, Sherrill Furniture, will be “running promotions at Market on select product categories where 10% of sales will go to hurricane relief,” according to president Tom Zaliagiris.

Meanwhile, Martinsville, Va.-based Hooker Furnishings says it will support relief efforts with a focus on its home states of North Carolina and Virginia. The company is partnering with local nonprofit organizations, including Samaritan’s Purse, to provide immediate aid and long-term recovery assistance.

Retailers also are collecting donations

Providence Enterprises, which operates Ashley stores in the Mountain Empire region, is running a donation drive to aid victims of the flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. Supplies are being collected at its Tennessee locations in Johnson City, Kingsport, Jefferson City, Morristown, and Gray, as well as its Virginia stores in Bristol and Wise. The company announced on LinkedIn that its Ashley trucks will deliver necessities to local partners, ensuring supplies reach communities impacted by the disaster.

Blowing Rock, N.C.-based The Mustard Seed has launched Project Community Roots to assist those in remote areas devastated by Hurricane Helene who are not receiving aid quickly enough. The initiative is deploying private UTVs, landscape vehicles, work vans and crews to these hard-to-reach locations. Prioritizing community support over reopening their business, The Mustard Seed is committed to helping families many of whom they personally know and are facing inaccessible roads and a lack of resources. All donations will go directly to local families in need. Donations to this project can be made via GoFundMe.

How can we help?

If your business is looking for ways to help those impacted by Hurricane Helene, there are several reputable charitable organizations currently providing relief:

• World Central Kitchen is providing meals to impacted community members and service workers.
• Heart to Heart is delivering medical supplies, volunteers, and mobile clinics.
• Asheville Humane Society is rescuing pets affected by the hurricane.
• Airlink is providing airlift and logistical support to charities in areas with transit challenges.

In addition, the United Way of North Carolina and the American Red Cross are urging the community to provide support through financial donations. The Red Cross emphasizes that monetary contributions are the most effective way to assist immediately, funding essentials like shelter, meals and recovery planning.

While physical donations are not being accepted at shelters, local organizations such as the United Way of Greater High Point are working with community partners to coordinate logistics for supply donations. United Way President Jane Liebscher stressed the importance of collective support for the long recovery ahead.

Aid organizations such as these all stress that no one should attempt to drive to western North Carolina to volunteer or drop off supplies, as roads are dangerous and many remain closed except to relief workers and local traffic.

Furniture Today will provide ongoing coverage of the impact of Hurricane Helene on the furniture industry, as well as continuing relief and recovery efforts.