Gaston County Family YMCA Steps Up for Hurricane Helene Relief
At the YMCA, our mission has always been to serve our communities in times of need, and Hurricane Helene has proven no different. Even though several of our Ys and staff members have been personally affected by the storm, the YMCAs across North Carolina have come together to offer critical relief to the hardest-hit areas.
The Gaston County Family YMCA has played a vital role as a collection hub, gathering and transporting donations to the mountain communities most impacted by the hurricane, including Asheville, Avery, and Mitchell counties. While we are still collecting donations, we’ve shifted our focus to specific items needed by those areas, as identified by our YMCA partners on the ground.
YMCA leaders like Sharon Padgett (CEO of Gaston County Family YMCA), Trey Oakley (CEO of YMCA Avery County), Melissa Bailey Logan (President & CEO of Blue Ridge Assembly), and Paul Vest (President & CEO of YMCA of Western North Carolina) are on-site, witnessing the devastation firsthand and coordinating efforts to ensure relief supplies reach those who need them most.
With the support of 16 YMCAs from across the state, we’ve provided essential services such as shelter, power, hot showers, and Wi-Fi, while collecting enough donations to fill six large trucks. These deliveries have brought vital resources to residents of Avery and Mitchell counties, who are grappling with the devastation caused by the storm.
Donations from YMCAs and their members/community alone resulted in 6 large box truck deliveries (and counting) to Blue Ridge Assembly, YMCA of Western North Carolina in Asheville, in the surrounding areas, and the Williams YMCA of Avery County, which is supporting residents in Avery and Mitchell counties, which were devastated by the hurricane.
While needs in these areas are changing daily, YMCAs like the Williams YMCA of Avery County have adapted by housing emergency workers and distributing critical supplies, including food. The YMCA of Western North Carolina is also offering shelter and hosting mobile food markets. While some Ys are reopening, others, like the Black Mountain Y, remain closed due to significant flood damage.
We are incredibly grateful for the support of our community and the generosity of those who have donated to the YMCA’s Hurricane Helene relief efforts. To continue supporting these ongoing efforts, you can visit ymca.org to donate to the Hurricane Helene Relief Fund or visit gastonymca.org/hurricane to see how you can help us meet the evolving needs of our neighbors.
Together, we are not only rebuilding but strengthening our communities in the face of adversity.
For more information on how to get involved, visit https://www.gastonymca.org/hurricane
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More Information on YMCA Impact and Recovery
YMCA Collaborations and Contributions:
Several YMCAs have joined forces to provide aid, including: Rowan-Cabarrus YMCA, J. Smith Young YMCA, Cleveland County Family YMCA, Stanly County Family YMCA, Randolph-Asheboro YMCA, Alamance County Community YMCA, YMCA of the Sandhills, Harrison Family YMCA, YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina, New River YMCA, Tom A. Finch YMCA, Eastern Carolina YMCA, Goldsboro Family YMCA, YMCA of the Triangle, YMCA of Greater Charlotte, and High Point YMCA. Together, these branches are helping to provide vital resources and relief to those impacted by the hurricane.
YMCA Losses and Recovery Plans:
While the YMCA continues to play a key role in relief efforts, some locations have suffered their own significant losses. Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain endured severe damage and will remain closed until at least February as major infrastructure repairs, including water pipes, are addressed. The YMCA of Western North Carolina provides daily updates on its efforts, with some branches like the Black Mountain Y undergoing extensive repairs from flood damage, and others like the Ferguson Family YMCA still without water. Despite these challenges, branches are gradually reopening as they can.
Williams YMCA of Avery County Reopening:
In positive news, the Williams YMCA of Avery County will reopen on October 10, allowing staff and volunteers to continue delivering essential services and supplies. This reopening is critical as the community prepares for winter, and the YMCA remains committed to offering support during this challenging time.
