Caldwell County reacted in unity to Helene's fury

September 27, 2026, marks the second anniversary of the date Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina.

The United Way is designed to stop everything in the event of an emergency. Community Resiliency is one of our four key impact pillars.

Following Hurricane Helene, the United Way of Caldwell County began a collection drive the Monday after the storm hit our county.

By Friday, we delivered 3,000 supplies during the Caldwell County Schools feeding site hours at Collettsville School.

Afterwards, we opened up our office for people to come “shop” for free supplies they needed. Over 15,000 supplies were collected.

The United Way also supported 485 Caldwell County families through the United Way of Caldwell County Hurricane Helene Disaster Recovery Fund.

One hundred percent of the $97,000 we raised in three weeks went back into the hands of Caldwell County residents to help them rebuild and recover.

Since then, the United Way of Caldwell County has served as a founding member (and fiscal agent) for the Caldwell County Long Term Recovery Group (LTRG.)

The LTRG is a partnership of local nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and community agencies that come together after the emergency phase of a disaster to help families rebuild and recover.

Since the group’s founding in early 2025, we have distributed $330,507.59. Funding has helped Caldwell County residents with immediate needs like tree and debris removal, to solving more long term issues like foundation and driveway repair.

We have also assisted families with roof repair, temporary housing, water damage/mold issues, window repairs, food and clothing, and more.

In May 2025, the United Way of Caldwell County was awarded the Mountain Hope Award from the Blue Ridge Piedmont Chapter of the American Red Cross, recognizing our leadership in collecting and distributing donated supplies to the community during Hurricane Helene.

Only 10 organizations across the region received this award, and it specifically honors the behind the scenes efforts that often go unseen – coordinating donations, organizing supplies, and making sure help reaches those who need it most.

Additionally, we brought on Collettsville School into our Weekend Backpack Program, after Helene.

Our Backpack Program helps provide food to children experiencing food insecurity. Even as recovery continues, Collettsville remains one of the highest need communities served through our Weekend Backpack Program.

Lastly, the United Way of Caldwell County, along with United Ways in Burke, Asheville, Buncombe, and Haywood counties, were recognized in September 2025 by the Duke Energy Foundation Helene Recognition Lunch in Asheville.

In attendance were over 37 nonprofits around the state who played a part in Hurricane relief and recovery efforts.

Funding for the Caldwell County LTRG is still available through the end of 2026.

Two years later, the impact of Hurricane Helene is still felt across our communities, but so is the incredible strength, generosity, and resilience of Western North Carolina.

While we hope our community never faces another disaster of this magnitude, the United Way of Caldwell County will be here when emergencies arise – ready to respond, connect resources, support recovery, and stand alongside our neighbors.

Hurricane Helene showed us just how powerful we are when we come together.