As cleanup and utility crews still work to help communities recover from the damage of Hurricane Helene, Furman University students, faculty and staff are finding ways to help people impacted by the storm.
Over the weekend, students helped pack toiletry kits given to utility workers who were on campus, and the Heller Service Corps met Monday to discuss relief efforts they may pursue, said Jason Cassidy, assistant vice president for Student Life and dean of students.
“We want to make sure that we provide impactful and intentional aid, so we are looking at the best way to make that happen,” said Meredithe Carr, assistant director of the Trone Student Center, orientation and Heller Service Corps.
The Paladins are rallying the Furman family to donate supplies for those affected by Hurricane Helene. In partnership with Ingles Markets and Harvest Hope, people are encouraged to bring needed items to the Furman Fan Zone beside Paladin Stadium between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Some of the items needed include toiletries, non-perishable foods, bottled water, flashlights, batteries, diapers and baby food.
Cayleigh Heaberlin ‘28 and Alex Cimo ‘28 were among the students helping pack toiletry kits over the weekend. Heaberlin said they were looking for other ways to help when a friend told them about efforts to distribute food and supplies in the Berea community, near campus. They and other Furman students helped volunteers Monday at Neighborhood Focus hand out plates of food, provided by FEMA and other donors.
“I’m from up north, and I didn’t know how impactful a hurricane could be,” Cimo said. “Just being here volunteering at Neighborhood Focus, you hear about so many people still having issues with power.”
Neighborhood Focus played host to other organizations, including the American Red Cross and LiveWell along with volunteers from the United Way, local schools and other community organizations. Holly Roberts, owner of The Codfather Nexton, a fish and chips restaurant in Summerville, South Carolina, near Charleston, brought enough food to provide about 600 meals for families that came to receive aid.
José Morales-Martinez, a social worker at nearby Berea High School, said Monday’s efforts to provide for local families still living without power grew quickly as volunteers and donors seized the opportunity to help. There’s no manual on how to handle providing aid after a disaster, he said, but it was encouraging to see the number of people looking for ways to serve.
At Furman, staff are striving to channel students’ willingness to help.
“We are working with student organizations to coordinate efforts and should have a better idea of what that will look like in the coming days,” said Jessica Berkey-Barnes, associate dean of student involvement and engagement.
Written by Damian Dominguez, Furman University.
Photograph: Furman students, from left, Alex Cimo ’28, Cayleigh Heaberlin ’28, Ashley Garcia ’28 and Zach LaComb ’28, help organize bottles of water at Neighborhood Focus while helping with Hurricane Helen relief efforts on Monday, October 7, 2024.