On September 26, 2024, Hurricane Helene tore through South Carolina and Western North Carolina, leaving a trail of destruction: flooded streets, homes damaged or lost, and families uprooted. Power went out. Lives were disrupted. Hope, for a moment, felt fragile.
But even amid devastation, something remarkable rose up-the heart of our community.
For decades, the Midlands has turned to United Way in times of crisis. One year ago, that trust was tested. And together-with neighbors, volunteers, and partners standing shoulder to shoulder-we proved that when disaster strikes, we are stronger together.
Responding in the First Hours
By September 29, just three days after landfall, United Way of the Midlands' Community Impact team was already assessing needs with local agencies. By September 30, disaster funds were activated, and the Volunteer Coordination Strategy Group-a dedicated team of staff and partners-was mobilizing volunteers and resources.
Within a week, the Helene Recovery Page went live: a digital lifeline for residents to find help, give help, and volunteer. It became the hub where urgent needs met immediate action.
The Power of Volunteers
Volunteers are the heartbeat of our community-and they showed up in incredible ways:
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61 volunteers gave over 108 hours of their time, valued at more than $3,000 in labor.
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Community members sorted, packed, and delivered essential supplies.
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One Tocqueville Society volunteer loaded his flatbed truck with bottled water and drove straight to Western NC, where communities had no safe drinking water.
As one volunteer reflected:
"I was glad to come and volunteer because I know people in our communities were impacted by Hurricane Helene. I was one of the lucky ones and only lost power for a day."
Every hour, every act of service, became a lifeline for neighbors in crisis.
Meeting Immediate Needs
Thanks to the generosity of the Midlands, United Way coordinated deliveries to 15 locations across South Carolina and into Western NC, including Mission Lexington, Senior Resources, Harvest Hope, Fairfield County Food Bank, and Chapin We Care Center.
We distributed:
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11,000 bottles of water
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2,381 non-perishable food items + 8 pallets of food
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1,669 hygiene products
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440 cleaning supplies
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171 baby items
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178 paper products
And when shelves in Newberry County ran empty, the Salvation Army stepped in with a truckload of food and water collected by United Way just in time.
The Strength of Partnerships
Recovery required more than supplies-it required a community pulling together. 24 companies and organizations answered the call, including Colonial Life, Blue Cross, Westinghouse, YMCA, Enterprise, and Hammond School.
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Serve & Connect pivoted an event to pack 3,000 food boxes and 1,000 hygiene kits.
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Blue Cross employees launched a rapid collection drive.
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Hammond School students filled a truck with donations-including 6,000 bottles of water.
Every gift, every volunteer hour, every small act of generosity became part of a network of care.
Watch the Helene Recap Video
Investing in Long-Term Recovery
Beyond immediate relief, United Way directed $76,000 in Helene recovery grants to agencies addressing ongoing needs-food access, housing, youth programs, and family support. These funds strengthened communities most affected by the storm and ensured families could continue rebuilding their lives. Additional funding is earmarked to support Harvest Hope Food Bank as more donations are received.
Everyday Disasters: The Work Continues
While hurricanes happen periodically, crises happen every day in our community. A child struggling to read. A family facing homelessness. A young man with incredible potential but little support. These everyday disasters may not make headlines, but their impact has a ripple effect that shapes lives and the community for years.
United Way's signature programs meet these challenges head-on:
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Volunteer Center initiatives like Ready, Set, Supply, Volunteer Week, and other packing events connect people to high-impact service opportunities that meet tangible needs.
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MRC cultivates a love of learning through literacy and STEM initiatives
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Young Men United guides young men towards stability and career readiness
Continuum of Care addresses the multiple influences around persons experiencing homelessness
Whole Family Strategy addresses the needs of both children and adults, aiming to break generational cycles of poverty and create long-term opportunities for self-sufficiency.
Resilient Midlands addresses childhood trauma and cultivating resiliency
Natural disasters often ignite a surge of helpers-neighbors, volunteers, and corporate partners-ready to answer the call. That same energy, that same compassion, is needed every day to help people break cycles of crisis and move toward generational success.
At United Way, we are building a community of helpers-people who step up consistently, not just in moments of urgency, but in the everyday work of lifting neighbors and changing lives.
How You Can Help
The Helpers Are First in Line. Will You Be One?
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Volunteer. Join our ongoing initiatives to support children, families, and neighbors in need.
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Give. Your one time or monthly donation to United Way programs helps break cycles of crisis and create long-term opportunity.
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Share. Spread the word about service opportunities and inspire others to act.
One year ago, Hurricane Helene tested our community. Today, we celebrate more than recovery-we celebrate compassion, leadership, and the resilient spirit that defines the Midlands.
Because whether it's a storm or an everyday challenge, the helpers are first in line-and the community is stronger when we all step up.
