On September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene struck Western North Carolina and neighboring regions with devastating force. The storm unleashed its fury across approximately 100 counties spanning Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. The magnitude of the loss—of life and property—is beyond comprehension. Entire towns have been erased from existence.

Tragically, both the government and mainstream media have failed to provide an accurate accounting of the true death toll or the extent of the destruction. According to those actively engaged in rescue efforts, thousands have perished or are missing, and that number continues to climb.

In North Carolina, the towns hardest hit include Spruce Pine, areas south of Burnsville, Old Fort, Black Mountain, Asheville, Montreat, Chimney Rock, the Lake Lure area, Hendersonville, Canton, Clyde, South of Waynesville, North of Haywood, and South of Maggie Valley. These names are drawn from firsthand accounts, and we fear there may be other devastated communities yet unaccounted for.

The Red Balloon Project is supporting those on the ground in North Carolina, Tennessee and Virgina providing critical support to these resilient but struggling communities. Many of these areas are no longer accessible by car; the roads have been completely destroyed. The only way to reach them is by ATVs and mules. As temperatures begin to plummet into the 30s and 40s at night, the need for warm clothing and basic necessities grows more urgent by the day.

Your donations will go toward meeting the immediate needs of these survivors:

• Generators, dehumidifiers, gas and charcoal grills, propane, charcoal, fuel, fuel barrels, and chainsaws
• Benadryl, first aid supplies, EpiPens, inhalers, insulin coolers, glucose sticks
• Water, Gatorade, Powerade
• Paper towels and toilet paper
• Baby essentials
• Children’s items such as Tylenol, coloring books, toys, and markers
• Personal hygiene products—deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, soap, and feminine hygiene items
• Cleaning supplies—trash bags, cleaning sprays, and kitchen-size trash bags
• Warm clothing—packaged socks, gloves, jackets, hand and foot warmers
• Blankets
• Laundry detergent
• Supplies for first responders—rope, buckets, boots, chainsaws, flashlights, generators, fuel, and fuel barrels

If you have any connections to companies willing to donate any of these vital items—especially generators, grills, propane tanks, and dehumidifiers—please let us know.

As the immediate crisis passes, our greatest challenge will come in the months ahead when resources have been depleted, and public attention shifts to the next catastrophe.

We cannot express enough gratitude for your generosity. Every contribution, no matter how small, makes a profound difference. Together, we can bring hope to those who need it most.

Amanda

In 2020 we partnered with Calvary Rescue Mission in Memphis, Tennessee, for the “Men’s Christmas Celebration,” providing them individually wrapped snacks, Christmas candy, fruits and nuts to add to the men’s Christmas bags.

We also partnered with Constance Abbey, in Memphis Tennessee,  providing their community with sleeping bags, blankets, gloves, handwarmers and socks.

And we partnered with the Society of  St. Vincent’s De Paul in Memphis, Tennessee, providing them with hand sanitizers and face masks.