Supply drive for Helene victims, support for affected students, staff available

October 1, 2024

Campbell University announced today efforts to gather and send supplies and aid to areas of western North Carolina devastated by Hurricane Helene last week. Support is also available for Campbell students and their families affected by the storm.

Vice President for Student Life and Christian Mission Rev. Faithe Beam said the University is collecting items in partnership with Baptists on Mission, a nonprofit organization already on the ground in hard-hit areas serving meals and providing units for showers and laundry. The organization is in need of laundry pods (unscented); tall kitchen garbage bags (unscented); paper products such as plates, towels, baby wipes and toilet paper; and gift cards to large retail stores like Walmart and Food Lion.

"We have long partnered with Baptists on Mission to help support disaster relief," Beam said. "In the coming days and weeks, Baptists on Mission volunteers will be washing thousands of loads of laundry. Based on what they recommended we decided that collecting specific items to support the laundering of clothes were some of the easiest items for students to donate. Our students are familiar with that need."

Bins are available at the Oscar N. Harris Student Union, Wallace Building, Butler Chapel, Cornelia Campbell Alumni House and Leon Levine Hall of Medical Sciences in Buies Creek and the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law in Raleigh. Requested items will be accepted at those locations through Oct. 7. Future collection needs will be announced in the coming days.

[Link]Photo courtesy of North Carolina Department of Transportation

Monetary donations are also needed - Campbell University encourages those wishing to give to contact Baptists on Mission, the American Red Cross and the United Way. Beam said for those who want to help but can't afford such purchases or donations, prayer is also appreciated.

The Office of Student Life also announced on Tuesday that support is available for students, faculty and staff who have been impacted directly by the storm or who have close connections to areas hit hardest. Counseling services are available, and appointments can be made online at campbell.edu/counseling-services.

"It is critical to care for yourself when traumatic events of this scale occur," said Laura Rich, dean of student well-being. "We have all been stressed by continued images of the suffering of our neighbors and giving careful attention to our own ability to process traumatic information allows us to use our energy in helpful ways. Connecting regularly with supportive friends and family, incorporating regular physical movement, setting reasonable limits on media consumption, and finding ways to contribute are all healthy responses to help us cope with disasters of this scope."

The Office of Spiritual Life is also available to offer prayer and pastoral care for the community. Contact Rev. Louisa Ward, dean for spiritual life and campus minister at [email protected]or visit Butler Chapel to meet with a minister. There will be a campus wide time of prayer at Campus Worship Night at 6 p.m. Monday in Butler Chapel. Those unable to attend can livestream the service. All are welcome.

Visit Campbell University's Hurricane Helene relief page: campbell.edu/storm-relief/

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