After the Storm: Clubs Support Communities Impacted by Hurricanes Helene & Milton

The Southeast recently endured the devastation of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, leaving communities grappling with widespread destruction and displacement. Amidst the chaos, Boys & Girls Clubs have assessed their own damages and, where possible, are providing essential support to those in need.

More than 150,000 Boys & Girls Club kids live in areas impacted by hurricanes, stretching from Florida to North Carolina. Families have faced shortages of food and water, as well as widespread power, cell and internet outages and homes that have been damaged or destroyed.

But in these communities, Clubs have and continue to provide supplies and meals, connecting families with housing, opening for longer hours where possible to support families, and more.

Flooding in Henderson County, North Carolina. Courtesy of Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County

Meeting Community Needs During Disasters

When disaster strikes, Boys & Girls Clubs do more than serve youth — they transform into vital community hubs, offering much-needed resources. From COVID response to the Maui wildfire of 2023, Boys & Girls Clubs are committed to doing whatever it takes to ensure young people, their families and their communities are cared for.

In the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Clubs across the Southeast have stepped up to provide:

Clubs continue to provide meals to children and their families. Courtesy of Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County

• Emergency Shelter: Many Clubs have opened their doors to provide temporary housing for families displaced by the storms.
• Food and Water: Clubs have become distribution centers for essential supplies like food and water, ensuring that no one goes hungry or thirsty.
• Power and Connectivity: In areas without power, Clubs have served as charging stations and Wi-Fi hotspots, allowing families to stay connected.
• Mental Health Support: Trained staff are providing counseling and emotional support to children and families coping with the trauma of the storms.
• Educational Opportunities: Clubs have continued to provide educational programs and offering longer hours, helping children stay on track and giving families time to address recovery needs.

In Augusta, the Club partnered with local organizations to house a resource hub with food, supplies and more. Image courtesy of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta

Here are some stories from across Boys & Girls Clubs impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton:

• The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta created a collaborative hub with local organizations to pack and deliver supplies (featured above), then mobilized their vans and buses to deliver food to neighborhoods without transportation, including several senior living centers. They also fed over 450 people a day with drive-through style breakfast and dinner.
• Florida-based Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast and Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay provided free “bounce back camps” following Milton, open to all local kids and teens. In addition to providing all-day care and activities, the Clubs sent youth home with hot meals for their families.
• Tennessee’s Boys & Girls Club of Elizabethton/Carter County opened for extended hours and made membership free for all youth in the month of October. As internet and cell service was down for weeks, they partnered with their community to offer a cell phone charging station and internet hotspot in their parking lot, providing some of the only technical support in the area. They also provided clothing drives and daily hot meals throughout the community.
• The Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County in North Carolina is working with their local school, which was completely destroyed by Helene, to temporarily accommodate over 300 elementary school students on a modified schedule while the school system rebuilds a facility.
• The Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau in Cashiers, North Carolina opened their doors to become temporary housing for families who lost their homes to Helene.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta set up drive-through food stations as well as mobilized their vehicles to bring food to neighborhoods without transportation. Image courtesy of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta

Supporting Hurricane-Impacted Boys & Girls Clubs

Over the past weeks, supporters from across the country came together and raised funds to help youth and Boys & Girls Clubs impacted by Helene and Milton as they continue to rebuild and serve their communities. We’re incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support from our generous donors — 100% of your donations will go directly to Boys & Girls Clubs impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Your contributions help:

• Fund emergency relief efforts: Provide immediate assistance to families impacted by the storms.
• Rebuild damaged facilities: Restore Club buildings and facilities to ensure they can continue to serve their communities.
• Support long-term recovery: Help communities rebuild and recover from the devastation.

If you’d like to support disaster relief efforts at Boys & Girls Clubs, click here.

160 Years of Serving America’s Youth & Communities

Boys & Girls Clubs have a long history of supporting communities during good times and bad. Clubs are committed to providing access, opportunity and a safe place for young people to learn and grow. By supporting Boys & Girls Clubs, you are helping to make a difference in the lives of countless children and families.