Relief and Recovery
On late Thursday night, September 26, Hurricane Helene made landfall as a catastrophic category 4 hurricane that left a trail of destruction across the southeastern United States. At One More Child, our hearts are moved with compassion to help the vulnerable, hurting, and heartbroken. From even before the impact of this storm was realized, our teams began mobilizing to provide aid and resources to affected communities, families, and children.
So far, we have served more than 1,500 individuals and children impacted by the hurricane and distributed more than 130,000 pounds of food, water, and supplies.
As our teams continue relief efforts, we want to share a few stories of God’s provision in this trying time and provide ways you can help us serve those in need.
Together, We Make a Greater Impact
After Hurricane Helene passed through Florida, our team began working to identify areas in greatest need of resources. This included Manatee and Sarasota counties—which received supplies from the Azinger Family Compassion Center—and areas in the Big Bend, such as Gainesville, Live Oak, and Lake City.
In order to transport our supplies to Big Bend locations, we needed semitrucks that could carry massive amounts of food, water, and supplies. We reached out to a corporate partner, Axle Logistics, for the trucks needed to serve the area. However, Axle Logistics employees typically work regular hours during the workweek—we needed the trucks over the weekend.
Despite this, the Axle Logistics team sacrificed their time to help us, fulfilling our request within two hours on two separate occasions, once on Saturday and once on Sunday. With this incredible support from our partner, we were able to meet the needs of those in vulnerable situations quickly and efficiently.
One More Child is dedicated to creating and maintaining strong relationships with corporate, community, and church partners because we believe we can have a greater impact when we work together.
Our Steadfast Mission to Care for the Vulnerable
When a crisis occurs, oftentimes those who are already vulnerable find themselves even more susceptible to struggle or suffering. It is One More Child’s mission to care for vulnerable children and families, and we recognize the heightened significance of this care during a crisis.
Our Anti-Trafficking, Family Support, Single Moms, and Foster Care teams worked diligently to contact their clients, families, and children before and after the storm. For one foster family, however, this extended beyond just a check-in.
On Thursday evening, right when the storm began to wreak havoc on Florida’s coast, a member of our Foster Care team received a call about a 6-month-old baby who needed a foster home placement. She reached out to a new foster family who had only been licensed for a few days, and the family immediately said “yes” to caring this child.
Thanks to our gracious and willing foster family and our incredible Foster Care team who moved quickly to provide diapers and other supplies, this baby found a safe and loving home, despite the threat of the storm.
Three Ways You Can Provide Relief
One More Child is continuing to send teams and resources to locations across multiple states in an effort to meet needs and help communities recover—and we need your help.
There are three impactful ways you can join us to provide much-needed relief to vulnerable children, families, and individuals suffering from Hurricane Helene:
- Give a financial gift. Your financial contribution will directly impact individuals who were affected by the hurricane. No amount is too big or too small to make a difference.
- Donate. Multiple campuses are accepting donations which we will then distribute to areas in need. Different locations have different needs, so be sure to check our website for information and fill out the form if you wish to donate.
- Volunteer. Our teams are on the ground, distributing supplies and helping individuals, and you can join them! Visit our website to see where you can volunteer.
Information on how to get involved can be found here.
Watch news coverage of our relief efforts in the Big Bend here.
Blessed to Bless Others
Wherever there is grief, struggle, and suffering, we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus. God has blessed One More Child with critical resources, skilled team members, and valuable partnerships, and with everything we have, we seek to bless others.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV)
The extent of damage from Hurricane Helene is tremendous and One More Child is uniquely equipped to serve vulnerable children and families with urgent needs. As hurricane recovery efforts continue, we will work together with churches, community partners, and organizations to serve one more.
