As Hurricane Helene raged across six states, damaging some of the most cherished places people call home, many school communities have come together in solidarity and hope by providing essential services to those impacted.
According to Associated Press, more than 200 people have died from the hurricane across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. That number may still be rising.
Amidst the devastation, individuals have found the courage to join in efforts to provide disaster relief – including donation drives or simply a place to shower.
High School English Teacher Rachel Miller teaches at Crystal River High School in Citrus County, Florida. She said that her community has been hit extremely hard, experiencing some of the worst flooding in county history.
“I mean, some of my kids have lost everything and that's the hardest part for me as a teacher,” Miller said. “You know, them telling us that they don't have any clothes or beds to sleep in, or even a place to go right now hurts my heart.”
The destruction from the hurricane has accumulated outside people's houses and on street curbs in Citrus County, waiting to be collected.
“The piles keep getting bigger and bigger and bigger,” Miller said. “You have everything from people's entire kitchens to their beds to their living room furniture to clothes and kids’ toys.”
Miller said that since her high school is at a higher elevation, it was not hit as badly as other areas in the county. She said the high schoolers are still getting a quality education, but the middle schoolers are not as lucky. The middle school was completely flooded, so students have been grouped into the high school cafeteria while educators do their best to teach with the little resources they have.
“We're just getting through day by day,” Miller said. “And, you know, as hard as it is for some, you always look around and realize that it was even harder for others.”
Many organizations in Citrus County are providing whatever they can to locals who need support. Miller said that sport leagues have set up grills in the community to cook hot dogs and hamburgers for people. The school’s culinary teacher has students making hot lunches for staff members at the school.
Kristin Hollingsworth, an English and Reading instructor at Citrus County High School, came up with the idea for a county donation drive to collect essential items. She said because so many students at her school were impacted by the storm, they needed to do something.
“[All of the donations] will be utilized here in county, so our direct students and staff will get first dibs, and then any remaining donations will go to our local charity to be distributed to the rest of the community,” Hollingsworth said.
Hollingsworth said she did not think the donation drive would take off the way it has. After Wednesday’s donation collection, her SUV was packed to the brim and there was still more to transfer.
“It really has brought everyone close together and I think see the bigger picture that at the end of the day, you know, we do need to be together as a community because otherwise, we kind of fall,” Hollingsworth said.
According to Tampa Bay Times, students and staff members in Pasco County, Florida, collected and distributed clothing, cleaning supplies, and other essential items to families impacted by the storm.
“People realize our schools are so deeply woven into the common fabric of our community, whether we think about it or not,” Pinellas County school board chairperson Laura Hine told Tampa Bay Times. “When people hear their school impacted, it has a deep effect.”
Beyond Florida, other communities are working to alleviate some of the hardships the hurricane caused. Middle and elementary school staff in South Carolina’s Lexington County District Two provided more than 1,000 free lunches to children in the community on Monday, Sept. 30, according to Lexington County Chronicle.
“It’s about more than just providing a meal – it’s about showing up for one another in time of need,” Cayce Elementary Principal Elaine Lundy said in a press release. “Knowing that some of our families are struggling right now makes it all the more important to offer a bit of relief and connection when they need it most.”
How Can NEA Help?
NEA members that have been affected by FEMA-declared major disasters have access to accommodations and disaster resources. NEA Member Benefits (NEAMB) is allocating relief contributions for state affiliates through this GoFundMe.
FEMA has declared major disasters in areas of Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina, allowing those affected to apply for FEMA disaster assistance.
According to FEMA, people can apply online by visiting disasterassistance.gov and in Spanish language disasterassistance.gov/es, calling 1-800-621-3362 or on the FEMA App in both English and Spanish languages.
