Hurricane Helene: Your Help is Needed

Dear Friend, 

The devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton has left communities grappling not only with physical destruction but also with deep emotional challenges. The combined impact of these storms has made many residents more vulnerable to depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress.

As communities face the heartbreak of lost homes, possessions, and uncertainty, we remain committed to offering both physical assistance and hope—helping survivors rebuild not just their homes, but their lives.

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MILTON RESPONSE UPDATES:

Florida residents returned to find flooded streets and homes destroyed after Hurricane Milton, a heartbreaking reality for many who had already faced the devastation of previous storms. The back-to-back disasters have raised concerns about survivors' mental health, and with experts predicting more frequent extreme weather events, the need for both immediate and long-term support has never been more critical.

In response to Hurricane Milton, our teams arrived in Bradenton, Florida, on Thursday, October 17th and set-up a base at Gulf Coast Church. The community has been severely impacted by downed trees and significant debris, creating unsafe conditions for many. Over the next four weeks, our volunteers and partners will be working on chainsaw work, debris removal, heavy equipment operations, and roof tarping to help restore a sense of safety and stability for the residents. Our goal is to bring hope and relief to families as they begin the long journey towards recovery.

HELENE RESPONSE UPDATES:

Our efforts for Hurricane Helene continue in Valdosta, Georgia, with a base at Camp Tygart, serving Lowndes County, GA, and Madison County, FL. We’ve also expanded operations to McDuffie County, near Augusta, and set up a new base in Mountain City, Tennessee, to support recovery in Johnson County.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who has joined us on the ground, bringing hope and helping communities rebuild. If you haven't already, please consider donating or volunteering with our teams. Your support is critical in helping people recover and rebuild after these unprecedented storms.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

VOLUNTEER:

Our efforts are powered by dedicated volunteers who have traveled from across the country to lend their hands and hearts. We’re currently seeking more volunteers to join us in supporting those impacted by Hurricane Helene - particularly Team Leaders. However, whether you’re skilled in disaster response or simply eager to make a difference, we welcome your support. 
To volunteer, click the button below.

DONATE:

We are deeply grateful to everyone who has donated or joined us on the ground. However, the need remains great, and we still need your support. Your donations can provide the critical supplies and resources necessary to assist more families on their road to recovery. Every contribution, big or small, brings us closer to helping communities heal and rebuild. Your support will fund free services like Debris Removal, Muck & Gut, Chainsaw Work, Mold Sanitation, and Heavy Equipment operations, especially for families who can't recover on their own. To donate, please click the button below.

Thank you for your continued support as we work hand in hand with local communities, partners, and volunteers to provide vital assistance to those affected. Your generosity and compassion makes all the difference.
 

Sincerely,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus

Helene & Milton: We need Your Involvement

Dear Friend,

In recent weeks, the southeastern United States has faced unimaginable challenges in the wake of Hurricane Helene and now the looming threat of Hurricane Milton. Inspiritus is unwavering in our commitment to empowering survivors as they begin the long road to recovery. With simultaneous deployments across multiple cities, we are in urgent need of your help to ensure the success of our disaster response efforts.

As Hurricane Milton bears down on Fort Myers, FL — where we continue long-term recovery operations for survivors of Hurricane Ian — our Disaster Relief teams are closely monitoring the situation and preparing to respond. Due to the severity of the storm, which has now strengthened to a Category 5, our teams have safely evacuated our bases in Valdosta, GA, and Fort Myers. They have temporarily relocated to Columbus, GA, where they will remain until conditions are safe to resume operations.

In addition to our preparations for Hurricane Milton, we are still responding to Hurricane Helene. We will be opening a new base of operations in Augusta, GA, on Friday, October 11, with work scheduled to begin on Saturday, October 12. We are in desperate need of volunteers, especially Team Leaders, to join us in this critical work. If Hurricane Milton causes significant damage to the Fort Myers area, our volunteer teams will be mobilized for local cleanup efforts as soon as it is safe.

Our teams are awaiting confirmation to establish a base in East Tennessee, near the North Carolina and Virginia state lines, to maximize our impact and assist more families and individuals affected by Hurricane Helene in Mountain City and surrounding areas. If activated, we will urgently need volunteers to support these efforts. We expect to have more details by the end of the week and will keep you informed as needs evolve.

This vital work is only possible thanks to the support of our dedicated disaster relief partners:

• The Southeastern Synod of the ELCA

• The Florida-Georgia District of the LCMS

• The Florida Bahamas Synod of the ELCA

• The North Georgia Conference of the UMC

• The South Georgia Conference of the UMC

• The Home Depot Foundation

• AirLink

• Rothrock Foundation

• The StarFish House

• Information Technology Disaster Resource Center

• St. Marks Church - Columbus, GA

• Church of the Nazarene - Barnesville, GA

• Camp Tygart 

• White Oak Methodist Camp

• Siren’s Project

• FootPrint Project

• Volunteers from many churches & communities

HOW YOU CAN HELP

VOLUNTEER:

Our efforts are powered by compassionate volunteers who have traveled from across the country to lend their hands and hearts. We’re currently seeking more volunteers to join us in supporting those impacted by Hurricane Helene - particularly Team Leaders. However, whether you’re skilled in disaster response or simply eager to make a difference, we welcome your support. To volunteer, click the button below.

DONATE:

If you’re unable to volunteer, your donation can help us provide the supplies and resources necessary to assist more families on their road to recovery. Every contribution, big or small, brings us closer to helping communities heal and rebuild. Your support will provide free Debris Removal, Muck & Gut, Chainsaw, Mold Sanitation and Heavy Equipment services to help families affected, especially those who can't recover without help. To donate, click the button below.

Thank you for standing with us as we work alongside local communities, partners, and volunteers to provide critical support to those in need. Your generosity and compassion makes all the difference.
 

Sincerely,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus