Rick Thomas’ Post

I’ve been trying to put into words my feelings in the devastation of Hurricane Helene and honestly I don’t know what to say. - no way to contact friends or family due to no cell coverage/ power/ roads closed. - loss of life totals increasing daily. - thinking about entire towns that will likely never recover. How do you prepare for something this catastrophic?! - farmers and small business owners that have their entire livelihood ruined. Crops destroyed, and the tourist money that gets them through fall nonexistent. Those that aren’t a from NC/ TN/ SC mountains, the idea of a hurricane doing what Helene did is unimaginable. It’s a once in a lifetime event that no one could have prepared for in any real way. How do you prep for mountainsides sliding with great speed into your town and house? Or Dams being crested/ failing? Or 40 inches of rain being dumped into your area rapidly? Please pray and donate whatever you can to reputable relief organizations. **Be cautious of random gofundme accounts until things can be verified. ** I added a picture of Chimney Rock, one of my favorite places to visit in NC. Completely wiped off of the map.

💔 Thinking of Those Affected by the Hurricane in Florida 💔 Today, my heart is with the people in Florida and all those affected by the recent hurricane. In times of disaster, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the devastation, especially for those who have lost loved ones or homes. I’m reminded of the importance of coming together as a community to offer support and encouragement. To anyone grieving or experiencing loss right now, I want to say: You are not alone. We may not fully understand the depth of your pain, but please know that there are people who care deeply about you and are here to support you in any way possible. How We Can Help: • Reach out with empathy: Sometimes the best thing we can do is listen and offer a shoulder to lean on. • Offer practical support: Whether through donations, volunteering, or helping with daily tasks, small acts of kindness can make a big difference. • Encourage resilience: Healing takes time, but I believe in the strength of individuals and communities to rebuild and move forward. If anyone knows of organizations providing aid to those affected, please share them in the comments so we can amplify support efforts. Let’s keep those who are suffering in our thoughts and prayers, and do what we can to offer hope, comfort, and help during this challenging time. #HurricaneRelief #CommunitySupport #EmpathyInAction #HelpingOthers #StayStrong #FloridaHurricane #SupportAndSolidarity

Hurricane Helene's Devastating Impact: Is all that should be spoken on this week!!! As someone who's always been driven to help others, the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene breaks my heart. The media coverage doesn't do justice to the scale of destruction and suffering, especially in North Carolina, where unpreparedness has led to tragic loss of life. It's alarming that it's taken until now for supplies to start reaching those in need. North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida are all grappling with the aftermath, and they need our support more than ever. Being currently unemployed, I feel helpless that I can't contribute financially. But I believe in the power of collective action and prayer. I'm praying fervently for: • The safety and recovery of all those affected • Swift deployment of resources and aid • Strength for the first responders and volunteers • Increased awareness and support from across the nation To my network: If you're in a position to help, please consider donating to reputable disaster relief organizations or volunteering if you're local to the affected areas. Every bit of support counts. Let's come together as a community to support our fellow Americans in their time of need. Your thoughts, prayers, and actions can make a difference.#HurricaneHelene #DisasterRelief #CommunitySupport #PrayForRecovery 

Our thoughts are with all those affected by Hurricane Helene. In times like these, communities come together to show their resilience and strength, but the devastation can be overwhelming. We continue to hope for everyone's safety, swift recovery, and that support reaches those in need as quickly as possible. Please take care of yourselves and those around you. If you're looking for ways to support relief efforts, or are in need yourself, the following links provide opportunities to help those impacted by Hurricane Helene: Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina’s Hurricane Helene Disaster Response Plans - https://lnkd.in/ewVDbZZp Hurricane Helene has Devastated the Horticulture Industry. Here's How you can Help - https://lnkd.in/eHF9nF6i How to Help those Impacted by Hurricane Helene: Charities, Organizations to Support Relief Efforts - https://lnkd.in/epHqdBCY USDA Offers Disaster Assistance to Agricultural Producers in North Carolina - https://lnkd.in/e-GQwNDj

Our deepest sympathies and condolences are with those who have been impacted by Hurricane Helene. 💚 With catastrophic flooding and winds of up to 140 mph, Hurricane Helene has had a devastating impact on many of the places our employees and the nonprofits we serve call home. While many communities are still assessing how Hurricane Helene has affected the lives of many, there are many ways to lend a hand to those in need. If you are compelled to contribute to Hurricane Helene relief efforts, here are some options for you: https://hubs.li/Q02Ryyst0

Hurricane Season May Be Ending, But the Need for Help Isn't As another hurricane season approaches a conclusion, the communities devastated by recent storms are just beginning their long journey to recovery. At INFINITT North America, we felt compelled to act. With some of our employees, clients, hospitals, facilities, and imaging centers in the direct path of these powerful hurricanes, we couldn't stand idly by while our "neighbors" suffered. That's why INFINITT has made a charitable donation to the incredible team at Operation Airdrop. Delivering Hope from the Skies ✈ 🛩 🙏 Operation Airdrop's mission is simple yet powerful: to respond swiftly and effectively in times of crisis, ensuring essential supplies reach those in need when traditional routes are compromised. They believe that no community should be left behind during their darkest hours. Through the power of volunteer pilots and a diverse fleet of aircraft, Operation Airdrop fills the gaps in emergency response efforts. They deliver life-saving supplies – food, water, medical necessities, and personal hygiene items – to isolated areas desperate for aid. Their passionate team of volunteers works tirelessly to mobilize resources, collaborate with local charities, and ensure help arrives as quickly as possible. A Mission of Hope Thanks to the incredible support of their volunteers, donors, and community partners, Operation Airdrop has successfully completed its largest mission to date. Vital supplies have been delivered to numerous hard-hit areas affected by Hurricane Helene, bringing a glimmer of hope to those struggling to rebuild. Let's celebrate the power of compassion and the difference we can make when we come together to support our neighbors in need. #INFINITTcares #OperationAirdrop #HurricaneRelief https://lnkd.in/eyDnNn_X

There’s a good chance, while you are reading this, a massive hurricane just slammed into Florida for the second time in as many weeks. There’s also a good chance your FYP on TikTok is flooded (see what I did there) with videos of underwater homes, aftermath destruction photos, and a series of pleas from coastal residents for basic needs. And when something like that happens, it demands everyone’s attention. People are glued to the news, donations are pouring in for relief efforts, and anything that isn’t storm-related seems, well, insignificant. But you still have a mission to accomplish. Your local nonprofit still needs funding to keep the lights on, to provide critical services, and to make an impact in your own backyard. So, how do you navigate the fundraising landscape when all hell is breaking loose? Here’s the thing: it’s not about competing for donor dollars—it’s about recognizing the situation, adjusting your messaging, and staying focused on your supporters.  It’s a delicate balance, like walking a tightrope in the middle of a hurricane (literally and figuratively), but it’s doable. This is in no way to lessen the importance of other needs, not only in other parts of the country, but also in the countless sectors of the world where we see catastrophic calamity, war and oppression. But it’s a real challenge as a fundraiser in times like these. So here are a few things to keep in mind to help you maintain your composure, competence, and relevance when the fundraising game gets tough.... Link to the rest of the blog in the comments!

Hurricane Helene has devastated the WNC and other areas. Asheville and Buncombe County will most likely be without potable running water for weeks to come. There are still more rural locations that cannot be accessed to assess damage and needs. Local, county, state, and national resources have stated a lot of "We don't know's" regarding timelines for resource distribution and repairs. The large scale bureaucratic processes can be barriers for many residents and don't always address the needs we are seeing on the ground. I am working with mutual aid groups to help import and distribute supplies. I am connected to a group of local and outside therapists that are offering services to those affected. There is so much support in the area within communities. Small groups are doing so much. If you want to help, please consider donating to mutual aid networks and individuals. If you want suggestions, let me know. The biggest thing that people outside the region should understand is that this recovery process will take a long time--months, years even. When the national news cycle has forgotten about the event and moved on to more "shiny, shiny" things, the people here will still be struggling with the effects of this. Don't forget about us all here, because we won't be able to.

The devastation from Hurricane Helene is far-reaching. Our friends at Philanthropy Southeast have compiled a list of various ways we can all help alleviate the suffering and begin recovery. https://lnkd.in/eNjAHxM4