Hurricane Helene Update: October 8
10/8: 1,396+ people served;
8,626+ since 10/3
Last day for individual supply pick up: October 9
Wednesday, October 9 will be the last day for distribution of human emergency response supplies to individual drive-through vehicles. With careful consideration with the county, in light of numerous organizations in the area that are providing food, water, personal hygiene and home care supplies, our Emergency Relief efforts in this specific capacity will wrap up at 4pm Wednesday.
All remaining products at that time will be distributed to non-profits in the region that have long term opportunities for distribution or use of these items. Tryon International will, however, continue to distribute hay, feed, all livestock feed, chicken feed, dog food, cat food, cat litter, etc. daily from 10am-4pm.
TIEC horse show competitors have absolutely overwhelmed our team with donations, volunteer efforts, and inquiries to help, alongside the response from our local and regional community. We will continue to accept donations, particularly livestock supplies, from competitors who wish to contribute to the cause, and will coordinate with our network of nonprofits to make sure these supplies continue to be distributed to the greatest areas of need.
Any pending donations should be coordinated through email at media@tryon.com.
Resources:
Supply Distribution Center:
Tryon International Indoor Complex
2676 John Shehan Rd,
Mill Spring NC 28756
LAST DAY: October 9, 2024
Free supplies are available to anyone who needs them, for humans, pets and livestock. This distribution center operates as a drive-through, staffed with volunteers and Tryon International team members, as part of the Polk County network of disaster relief locations. Follow signs for drive-through pick up.
Atrium Health’s Med-1 Mobile Hospital, located at Exit 170 at the roundabout, is FREE for anyone who needs medical care, access to prescriptions, and more. Open 24/7. Please spread the word!
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.
FREE Hot Meals are being provided by World Central Kitchen and Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ from 12-4pm daily near the TIEC main entrance. Intended to provide hot meals to-go to families picking up supplies at the distribution center, the project is also dropping hot meals throughout the community. We anticipate this continuing through the week.
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.
VOLUNTEER:
Volunteers are needed to help organize and distribute supplies Thursday from 11am-4pm. View the volunteer sign up form here. In the last few days, hundreds of volunteers have mobilized to help support relief efforts, and we are so grateful. The need continues, but the response of our community is strong. We will keep everyone posted about future volunteer opportunities.
View a gallery of our wonderful corps of volunteers here!
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!