Hurricane Helene Relief - Message from the NCBJ President

Thursday, October 3, 2024

Dear Colleagues,

Over the last several days, I am sure you have all read the news and seen photos regarding the horrible damages and devastation that Hurricane Helene did in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. Western North Carolina, Eastern Tennessee and the Florida Gulf Coast have been especially hard hit. The stories are heartbreaking and in many areas the destruction has disproportionately hit poorer communities. We have reached out to many of our colleagues in these areas to make sure that everyone is safe. The reports of homes destroyed, trees crushing roofs and cars, torrential wind, rain and flooding, mud, loss of power and water service and the like is overwhelming. Fortunately, to date, it appears that everyone in the court family is safe and accounted for.

As our colleagues, friends and the greater court family address the horrible consequences of this disaster, we want them to know that our thoughts and prayers are with them. And, the NCBJ is here to help if there is anything we can do. Thus far, I have received information about a few organizations in these areas that may appreciate your donations. Their contact information is below. Further, please everyone, reach out to your friends and colleagues to let them know we are all here for them and if they have any further recommendations for organizations to which donations can be made, they should let us know.

Finally, we also understand that everyone is preparing for more storms that may be coming this week. Let us also keep those in the path of the latest storms in our thoughts and prayers.

Here are the names of a few organizations that our colleagues have mentioned to us which may appreciation your donations:

Operation Bar B Q Relief

For Western North Carolina

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida

Thank you,

HON. JANET S. BAER, President
Northern District of Illinois