In the aftermath of hurricanes Helene and Milton, which struck in late September and early October, LeadingAge members, as they’ve done countless times—after Harvey, Irma and Maria hit in 2017 through last month—jumped into action to help each other. To date, more than $105,000 in donations from communities nationwide, including one whose members and staff raised more than $7,000, have flowed into the LeadingAge Disaster Relief Fund.

As recovery for some providers and staff will take months if not years, we are still gathering tax-deductible donations; 100% will go directly to member organizations and their employees to cover a range of needs specific to their emergencies.

All of the money disbursed has been spent to assist staff members who have been directly impacted by the storms. The stories of staff suffering are heartbreaking:

• A sous chef whose home is exposed to the weather due to multiple trees landing on the roof. He remains there because he is concerned about theft, but his wife and children are staying elsewhere.
• A CNA whose home, where she lived with her two children and her father (a veteran recently hospitalized with renal failure), was flooded. All are staying with her mother but cannot rebuild due to lack of insurance.
• A cook and his wife whose rented single-wide trailer was destroyed. The couple are from Colombia and neither speak English, so navigating the support system in the greater community has been overwhelming, and the wife has also lost her job due to the hurricane. They have a place to stay in November, but nothing is secured beyond that.
• A maintenance worker who watched as his father’s barn was washed down what used to be a creek, but turned into a river. His home also suffered major storm damage, including destruction of an outbuilding holding his tools and lawnmowers; his insurance company is denying his claim.
• A social worker whose home was damaged by multiple falling trees continues to live in part of the home. She has emptied the home and plans to rebuild, though some damage won’t be covered by insurance.

LeadingAge North Carolina, which has 15 members that have been affected by Helene, has created its own Foundation Disaster Recovery Fund. In a Facebook post, the organization stated, “Giving to the fund continues and checks are beginning to be disbursed to staff members at our affected member communities in western North Carolina. Heartbreaking requests for assistance continue to roll in. We have hugged over the generosity expressed in the face of so much need. We have wept over checks and notes written in wobbly script. Thank you one and all for extending hope and healing.”

According to LeadingAge Southeast President and CEO Steve Bahmer, when many Florida members needed to evacuate residents, other providers further inland were there to take them in. He also reports that business partners provided food and water to support residents until power could be restored. And as in other states, many staff faced devastating damage from the storm, losing homes and cars. Bahmer quoted one member who said, “I have been a part of the LeadingAge family for 40 years … and once again I see the importance and the reason to be part of this wonderful organization.”

Kassie South, president and CEO of LeadingAge South Carolina, reporting on members whose staff have received funds, says, “Thank you to LeadingAge members for your support of our providers. There has been a significant amount of funds used to help our team members recover from the many difficult situations they faced at home. We are forever grateful for your love and support!”

Funds are still available in the LeadingAge Disaster Relief Fund for those who need to apply. Members in need should reach out directly to Amanda Marr (amarr@leadingage.org) to request support. Donate today.

As LeadingAge President and CEO Katie Smith Sloan said in a recent message to members, “Supporting one another in times of need is a LeadingAge value, a guiding principle. … [our] members are here for those in need. That’s who we are. That’s who we have always been. That’s who we will continue to be.”

For a compilation of our coverage of members’ responses to the hurricanes, read our Hurricane Season 2024 Updates and Disaster Relief serial post.