Hurricane Helene Disaster relief opportunities in Indiana
I would like to start this message by saying that I know many of our readers will have loved ones impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Helene. I sincerely hope that you, your family, and your friends are safe.
This week, I’ve been in touch with many of my colleagues in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, and Virginia. I’m relieved to say that they’re all safe, although the mix of emotions as they try to support their families and communities through the grief and cleanup efforts is palpable. The impact is felt on so many levels. Sierra Club volunteers and staff across the country are at the forefront of confronting the climate crisis, and now many of them - not for the first time - are facing devastation worsened by climate change1 in their own communities.
In this message the Hoosier Chapter would like to lift up the work being done in the communities impacted by Hurricane Helene, and how Hoosiers are rising up to support these mutual aid and disaster relief efforts.
I hope the information included here is helpful. Together we can make a difference.
Opportunities to donate to mutual aid requests in Indiana
*Please note - as there are a lot of moving parts and fast-changing situations in these efforts, please check directly with the organizers/venues below before collecting or donating items.*
Indianapolis:
In Indianapolis, several businesses are accepting donations of requested items. There is coordination with Rednecks Rising and RATS Harm Redux to get these donations directly to impacted areas in western North Carolina. More details from Irvington Vinyl & Books, one of the drop off locations. Donations are being accepted until October 13th. Please contact the locations directly for specific drop-off times.
Today only (Saturday 5 October) - HI-FIin Fountain Square is accepting donations from 9am-5pm. See their Facebook page for more information.
Also in coordination with Rednecks Rising and RATS Harm Redux, Vibe Yoga Studio (during opening hours) and Harmony School (after 5pm) are accepting donations. Please contact them for more info.
Michigan City:
Weil-McLainis making truck trips to North Carolina with cases of donated bottled water. Drop off cases at the guard shack on Blaine St. The next truck leaves on Tuesday 8th October in the morning. Please contact them for more info.
1The science is clear that the climate crisis, driven by the continued expansion of fossil fuels, is causing weather events like this one to be more frequent and more intense. Data have shown that the damage caused by hurricanes can be exacerbated by warmer ocean temperatures caused by climate change and the associated sea level rise. (Hurricane Helene is the Climate Crisis in Action - Sierra Club press release)
