APPALACHIA – (October 30, 2024) Christian Appalachian Project’s (CAP) Disaster Relief program helped 24 families recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Helene. Fifty-seven volunteers, mainly from Kentucky, came together to support families in Eastern Tennessee. They put in more than 3,200 volunteer hours to assess homes and clean out debris and items soaked by floodwaters. CAP’s Command Center was in Johnson City, which allowed CAP Disaster Relief teams to serve Washington, Clark, Unicoi, and Greenville Counties. 

“We were there to listen to the families and to give them hope. Hope that they will overcome this tragedy and hope that this too shall pass,” said Robyn Renner, director of CAP’s Disaster Relief program. “When you have never experienced the depth of such a tragedy, you don’t know where to start. I am grateful we were able to share what we know and how to start a long-term recovery process. We will continue to keep in touch to help answer questions when needed.” 

CAP plans on partnering with Appalachia Service Project (ASP), a nonprofit focused on home repair based in Johnson City, through the recovery efforts of getting families back in their homes. CAP and ASP also partnered to help families back into their homes following the 2022 floods in Eastern Kentucky.  

CAP’s Operation Sharing program has coordinated the delivery of 19 truckloads to disaster-affected areas in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia. Operation Sharing continues to coordinate donations and partner with other organizations to deliver essential items like sleeping bags, underwear, socks, and food supplies. 

“We love getting a chance to work with partners like the Greenup County Masonic Lodge which has provided multiple pallets of disaster supplies,” said Aaron Thoms, manager of CAP’s Operation Sharing program in Paintsville. “We are also working with Appalachian Regional Healthcare Systems to ensure donated items that they have collected reach impacted communities as quickly as possible.” 

To donate today, please visit christianapp.org/respond and follow us on social media for updates about CAP’s response.