Hurricane Helene Update: October 10
9,876+ served via drive through supply center since 10/3
Note: this is the final of our daily updates regarding Hurricane Helene relief efforts. Stay tuned for periodic updates still to come!
Wednesday October 9 concluded our drive-through emergency supply center operations at Tryon International, with more than 9,876 people served since October 3, by our best estimates. The response of our community, with both donations and helping hands, has been absolutely overwhelming for our team to witness.
Since Wednesday, our team of staff and volunteers have begun sending any remaining supplies to other nonprofits, shelters and supply distribution points throughout the region so that they can be utilized in the best possible way. Unless otherwise previously coordinated, we are not accepting any donations of human supplies at this time.
Click here for a list of locations accepting donations.
Our work is not over! Recovery for the region as a whole will be a long process, and we are not going anywhere. We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all who have donated, volunteered, and contributed to relief efforts from around the country so far. There will be many needs to meet in our local communities moving forward, but we will work together to rebuild and recover.
Atrium Health’s Med-1 Mobile Hospital, located at Exit 170 at the roundabout, is closed as of 6am 10/11. A medical clinic will continue to be available at the site. We will share more information about it as we are made aware of the NC Emergency Management plans.
Livestock Supplies:
In collaboration with our friends at Red Bell Run Sanctuary and Fleet of Angels, we will continue to accept donations and distribute animal feed and other livestock supplies daily from 10am-4pm at the Indoor Arena. Our partners are helping ensure that feed, shavings, hay, fencing and other crucial needs are being met throughout the region and in our own backyard.
To coordinate a donation or pickup of livestock supplies, contact sanctuary@redbellrun.org.
Resources:
FREE Hot Meals are being provided by World Central Kitchen and Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ from 12-4pm on Friday, October 11 near the TIEC main entrance. Intended to provide hot meals to-go to families in need, the project is also dropping hot meals throughout the community.
The Forca Foundation, a local WNC 5013c3 organization, is now accepting applicants to receive aid. 100% of funds raised will be going to local, known families.
Limited showers and laundry facilities are available at the Lodging Office building at 2676 John Shehan Road. Please bring your own towels for shower facilities, and expect a wait.
Foothills Village Chapel is available for prayer and meditation. A simple, quiet place, is open to all. It is located at Cabin 2A on Tryon International’s Retail Promenade. Open 24/7, you are welcome to stop in. “Come as you are” service each Sunday at 9:30am. Wednesday evening “Friends of Bill” meeting at 7pm.
View more Hurricane Helene Relief Resources, including how to apply for aid, here.
Get Involved:
DONATIONS:
We are only accepting animal and livestock donations at this time. Please follow up with media@tryon.com if you have previously arranged for a donation this week, and we will either continue with the delivery or make plans to route donations to the biggest area of need.
DONATE FUNDS ONLINE:
Forca Foundation is a local WNC 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible. Families in need will be helped one at a time, with applications open now. Financial donations are needed! Text NCSTRONG to 53555 or donate at this link.
Tammy Tappan of Equestrian Artists of Tryon, hosted at Tryon International Equestrian Center year-round, has connected this initiative with a matching challenge: the first $50,000 raised will be generously matched. All funds allocations will be published.
DONATE FUNDS VIA CHECK:
If you are interested in making a financial contribution to recovery efforts, you may write a check to the Green River Foundation and mail to 4066 Pea Ridge Road, Mill Spring, NC 28756 with "Hurricane Helene relief" in the memo. 100% of your donation will go to the relief efforts in Polk, Rutherford, Henderson and Buncombe Counties in North Carolina and Spartanburg County, South Carolina. We will work with location agencies for that distribution. 100% of the contribution will be tax deductible.
Cash and check donations can now be accepted at the Overmountain Lodge lobby or at the supply distribution center.
Tryon International Amenities:
Cleghorn Golf Club is currently being cleaned up and all efforts are being made to be back in business when possible. In the meantime, Mulligan’s Restaurant (183 Golf Circle, Rutherfordton, NC 28139) has reopened, as has the driving range, both open 11am-5pm daily. Cleghorn Gun Club is open to the public (Wed-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm). Fitness Wide Open has reopened to members.
All Tryon International restaurants are now open to support our community, guests and first responders on-site. Keeping restaurants open is an important way that we can support our employees as well, and we are grateful to be able to offer hot meals to those still waiting on power to be restored.
View all menus and hours here.
Stay tuned for more updates to come as recovery and relief efforts continue.
With questions, contact media@tryon.com.
Our thanks go to all who are volunteering here, donating items, praying for our community and participating in so many ways. We will recover. Together!