We know many, like us, are heartbroken by the devastation Hurricane Helene caused to campgrounds and communities throughout the south and southeast. Towns have been torn apart, businesses and homes leveled, near destruction of campgrounds, and the horrific loss of life.
As we’ve traveled the country over the last 8 years, we have been humbled repeatedly by the sheer beauty of Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina. Our family’s first camping trip was to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Asheville, NC, and the Biltmore Estate remain some of our family’s favorite trips and a place we always mention when asked for travel recommendations. My heart aches for these places and the people hurting and broken right now.
Our visit to the Biltmore in Ashville, NC remains one of our favorite travel memories.
Below is a short list of organizations providing relief on a local and national level, including the OHI Disaster Fund set up to support campgrounds impacted by natural disasters. If you can, we hope you’ll join us in supporting these organizations and their work to help those in need.
Ways to help communities and campgrounds suffering from Hurricane Helene:
Campground support:
OHI (Outdoor Hospitality Industry) Foundation
General community support:
American Red Cross
North Carolina Organizations
Feeding the Carolinas
North Carolina Diaper Bank
Organizations on the Ground:
Operation Air Drop
Tennessee Organizations:
United Way of East Tennessee Highlands
East Tennessee Foundation
We recognize there are many other organizations out there also assisting. We also acknowledge that there are more ways to give than just financially. We encourage you to use this list as a jumping-off point and seek action in a way that works for you and works for the communities in need. Thank you, and when those communities are ready to receive us, we hope you’ll hitch up your RV and visit.
