Epsiode Description

Arielle and Karissa focus on the devastation left by Hurricane Helene, which hit Asheville, North Carolina, and surrounding areas. They highlight ways that listeners, whether near or far, can help the victims of this disaster.

Where to donate:
United Way Helps NC Fund
Red Cross
Manna Food Bank
Asheville Humane Society
Wooden Robot Brewery
The Salvation Army
Indian Aroma Bistro

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Transcript

Theme music

Arielle  

Hello, and welcome to the Optimist Daily’s weekly roundup. I’m Arielle.

Karissa   

And I’m Karissa, and we’re working hard to put solutions in view and optimism in motion.

Arielle  

All right. So usually, we would have a little catch-up between ourselves, me and Karissa. But I think in this episode, we will go straight to the topic at hand, which deals with the horrible hurricane that tore through North Carolina recently.

Karissa   

Yeah. While there have been a lot of uplifting solutions published in the Optimist Daily this week that we’d normally love to highlight on the podcast, we feel it’s really important to bring awareness to the devastation left behind by Hurricane Helene and how we can help the people of Asheville, NC, and those in the surrounding areas. Even though this region is more than 300 miles inland, the storm hit the town really hard.

Arielle  

Yeah, it’s been really heartbreaking. Homes are destroyed, power is out, people are displaced—it’s, to put it lightly, a rough situation. But in times like these, communities can really come together, and there are some practical and immediate ways we can all help. You can find a few of them in the article we’re about to summarize. The article is titled “4 Immediate Ways to Help Hurricane Helene Victims in North Carolina.”

Karissa   

Yeah, that’s right. So whether you’re nearby or across the country, there’s a lot you can do. First off, one of the most effective ways to help is by donating to reputable organizations. It’s an easy way to make a real impact, even if you’re not on the ground.

Arielle  

One organization that’s doing incredible work right now is the United Way Helps NC Fund. They are focused specifically on helping people recover from this disaster, and donations go straight towards essentials like food and water.

Karissa   

Yeah, and don’t forget about the Red Cross. They’ve been on the front lines providing shelter and meals for those who have been displaced. Duke Energy even put out a statement saying how tough the road to recovery is going to be. Thousands of workers are out there trying to restore power, but it could take a while before power is restored. So, donations really help ease the burden for the people affected.

Arielle  

Another local group that’s been hit hard is Manna Food Bank. They serve some of the most vulnerable folks in Western North Carolina, and the hurricane completely devastated their operations. They’re asking for donations to get back up and running so they can help those in need as soon as possible.

Karissa   

And for those of you who are closer to the area or can offer more hands-on help, fostering a displaced animal is a great way to contribute. Shelters are really overwhelmed right now, and the Asheville Humane Society is working nonstop to find temporary homes for animals.

Arielle  

Yeah, and even if fostering isn’t an option for you, because it is a huge responsibility, they can still use donations to cover the costs of food, transportation, and other essentials. Pets are often overlooked victims in natural disasters, but helping them out is a meaningful way to support the community.

Karissa   

Absolutely. Another way to directly help is by donating essential supplies. Right now, some of the most needed items are bottled water, diapers, new socks, toiletries, and underwear.

Arielle  

It’s really inspiring to see how local businesses are also stepping up. Wooden Robot Brewery, for example, has been helping collect these donations. They even posted a list on Instagram with drop-off locations, urging people to donate things like hydration packets and baby essentials. And yeah, like you just said, Karissa, all those important clean socks and underwear, and all the basics.

Karissa   

Yeah, totally. It’s one of the simplest yet most effective ways to help, and if you can drop off these kinds of items, you’ll be making such a difference for families who have lost so much already.

Arielle  

Mm-hmm. And another issue is getting meals to people who need them. A lot of areas still don’t have power or internet, so spreading the word about where food is being served is absolutely critical. The Salvation Army, for example, is providing hot meals, but with limited communication, it’s hard for everyone to know where to go.

Karissa   

Yeah, exactly. And that’s where we can all pitch in. If you have internet access, you can help by posting online or reaching out to friends and family in the affected areas and letting them know where they can find these resources.

Arielle  

And again, local businesses are pitching in. Indian Aroma Bistro in Hendersonville, for instance, is offering boxed meals and even asking for volunteers to help with deliveries. If you’re nearby and can help deliver food, it’s a huge way to make a difference for families.

Karissa   

You know, even though this storm has caused so much devastation, there’s still a lot of hope. The people of Asheville and North Carolina are resilient, and recovery is definitely possible, especially with the help of those near and far.

Arielle  

So whether you can donate money, your time, or even just spread the word, every little bit helps. And it’s all about coming together in a time of need.

Karissa   

Yeah, definitely. If you’re feeling like you want to do something but aren’t sure where to start, just remember that every contribution, no matter how small, helps the community take one step closer to rebuilding.

Arielle  

Well, that was a good walkthrough of probably the most urgent and important solution we have on the roster this week at the Optimist Daily. Of course, we have other great new solutions that you can find on our website, but for now, we’re just going to end the podcast here with all of our best wishes, hopes, and prayers for everyone who is struggling right now due to this hurricane.

Karissa   

Yeah, absolutely. It’s definitely time to come together and help after another natural disaster.

Arielle  

Well, Karissa, it was wonderful to be here with you, even though we’re under dire circumstances. We look forward to coming back next week with a great roundup of solutions.

Karissa   

Yeah. Until then, find more on the Optimist Daily. But as you said, Arielle, it was so important to highlight this solution today.

Arielle  

All right, until next time, goodbye.

Karissa   

Bye.