Hurricane Helene Aid Information
To support our members, their families and their communities affected by Hurricane Helene, we're gathering a list of member relief initiatives. If your organization has a recovery effort please share it with us, and we’ll compile the links for our membership to choose how they can best offer their help. Our unity and compassion can make a real difference. Let’s come together to help and uplift those in need from this devastating storm.
Explore Asheville's Recovery Efforts Information
North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians Relief Resources
North Carolina Foundation for Nursing Nurse Recovery Fund.
Shared from NC Nurses Association: donations to this fund will be distributed to actively-licensed Registered Nurses in North Carolina who have been impacted by Helene based on a sliding scale of needs.
North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Resources
The Latest from NC Medical Society on Hurricane Helene
The Umstead Hotel and Spa's 'An Evening for Western Carolina'
On October 17th, join celebrated chefs for An Evening for Western North Carolina. All proceeds will go towards relief efforts after Hurricane Helene. The event will feature some of North Carolina's finest chefs, including Chefs Steven Greene, Spencer Thomson, Scott Crawford, Ashley Christensen, Ricky Moore, and Jacob Boehm. Together, they will prepare an elegant five-course dinner. Seating is limited to 200 guests, at $295++ per person. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in a silent auction.
Affected Member Updates
Below has been shared from AENC members, found on member websites or through social media. This list is not exhaustive of AENC Members affected.
Hurricane Helene Relief News: Asheville’s Appalachian Grit, Gumption and Sense of Community Power Recovery Efforts in Helene’s Wake
Always Asheville Fund and Luke Combs’ Concert for Carolina launch to rally aid
Asheville, NC (Oct. 8, 2024) – After the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, the Asheville and Buncombe County community’s strength and unity have been on full display. In response, Explore Asheville, a 501(c)6 nonprofit, has established the Always Asheville Fund to support small, independent travel and hospitality businesses in Asheville and across Buncombe County as they work to recover and rebuild. More information is at www.alwaysashevillefund.com.
The Always Asheville Fund will provide emergency grants—not loans—to help sustain the vibrant, creative, and deeply rooted community that makes the Asheville area unique. This support is crucial: According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), 40 percent of small businesses do not reopen after a disaster. The organization aims to change that statistic for the region’s local entrepreneurs, ensuring their stories continue to shape its community’s future.
The Explore Asheville team has years of experience in grant administration. It is an established organization that is well managed, organized and can expedite aid directly to small, independent travel and hospitality businesses in Buncombe County affected by Hurricane Helene. To start the fund, Explore Asheville has committed $300,000 from earned revenue to the Always Asheville Fund. A grant application process will be stood up to help get these resources into the community.
“We are committed to supporting the livelihood and vitality of Asheville’s small business owners,” Vic Isley, President and CEO of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism and Development Authority, said. “We’ll continue developing innovative and responsive solutions to walk alongside our partners on the road to recovery. It’s our aim that the Asheville area will emerge on the other side of this stronger and more vibrant than ever.”
This initial phase of the sustained recovery plan also includes Concert for Carolina, a benefit concert featuring Luke Combs, Eric Church, Billy Strings, and James Taylor & Friends announced yesterday. Explore Asheville has pledged $1 million as the presenting sponsor of the event taking place on October 26 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, with all proceeds, including sponsorships, supporting aid relief efforts.
“The purpose of these initiatives is to ensure our community has the jobs and financial opportunities to thrive, ensuring that they’ll be here when Asheville reopens its doors to mindful tourism,” Isley said.
The organization is working closely with local government officials, business owners and non-profits with the goal of restoring jobs, economic security and wellness that keep its community strong. The Asheville community will rise stronger, and it remains eager to share its vibrant culture and resilient spirit with the world beyond its mountains.
Since 2001, Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority has committed $96 million in grants to more than 50 community projects as well as $5 million in grants through the Tourism Jobs Recovery Fund to nearly 400 small travel and hospitality businesses to reopen following the pandemic.
PRESS RELEASE: Biltmore Estate and its family owners launch Biltmore Relief Fund for WNC, pledging $2 million in immediate localized Helene relief alongside additional resource commitments and employee crisis support.
Asheville, N.C., October 7, 2024 – Amidst the immeasurable challenges our region faces following the devastation of Helene, Biltmore remains steadfast in our commitment to supporting our employees and community on the path to rebuilding.
While the estate remains closed due to storm damage, as well as technology infrastructure, power, and water outages, we are working behind the scenes during this crisis to assist with immediate needs of emergency response teams, our employees, and long-standing non-profit partners in this community.
“Western North Carolina has been our family’s home for more than 125 years, and we are devastated to see Helene’s impact on our region. We remain committed to supporting our employees and neighbors in the aftermath of this unprecedented storm and the long-term recovery efforts. Now more than ever, we must work together to stabilize and rebuild this community,” said Bill Cecil, Jr., President and CEO of Biltmore.
Today, Biltmore announces a financial commitment of $2 million through the newly established "Biltmore Relief Fund for WNC" to aid in Helene relief efforts.
Inspired by the legacy of George and Edith Vanderbilt, the focus for this fund is to provide critical and immediate financial relief for people in need, including supporting employees in crisis, providing support to area non-profits aiding our region, and investing in the recovery of our community.
Funds will be directed by Biltmore to non-profit organizations for distribution in the Western North Carolina community.
For more info and ways the public can help our community meet the challenge, please see the resources here: https://bit.ly/4eVlzM8
Hampton Inn and Suites Asheville Biltmore Village is currently closed due to the effects of Hurricane Helene. If assistance is needed, please call 1-800-HILTONS.
Residence Inn Asheville Biltmore is currently closed and will waive cancellation fees through 10-12-2024. For assistance with reservations, please contact us. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Asheville - Biltmore is currently closed due to the effects of Hurricane Helene. If assistance is needed, please call 1-800-HILTONS.
Chetola Resort & Spa at Blowing Rock
"We are still here and open for business! Thank you to everyone who has checked in on us!
Chetola Shooting Reserve will open once Sampson Road is clear.
As of September 30th, our internet services were restored and the property is fully operational. Roads in the immediate area are open, but please check traffic reports. We look forward to welcoming you again. Travel Safely!
Grand Bohemian Asheville, Autograph Collection
The hotel is currently closed. For assistance with reservations, please contact us. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center
"Lake Junaluska is still open for guests, and we have rooms available at a discounted rate for those affected by the hurricane. We do not have cell phone service at this time or internet service for guests, but The Terrace Hotel and Lambuth Inn do have power."
To volunteer at Lake Junaluska, meet daily at 10 a.m. at Stuart Auditorium (Monday-Friday).
To donate to Lake Junaluska, visit lakejunaluska.com/give.
Our hearts are heavy following the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helen across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. We are diligently working to assess the damages at hotels within the impacted areas. Our valued McKibbon associates are our top priority, and we are connecting impacted team members with relief and support efforts, including our own Employee Assistance Relief Fund. If you'd like to directly support our employees who have been impacted by this natural disaster, please click this link. Each dollar will be matched by the McKibbon Hospitality Foundation and all funds raised go directly to McKibbon associates in need. We cannot thank you enough for your support during this difficult time.
Parks Hospitality Asheville Hotels
DoubleTree by Hilton Asheville Downtown
Embassy Suites by Hilton Asheville Downtown
“All employees are accounted for and our hotels in downtown Asheville were virtually untouched. We've cleaned the debris and are just waiting on the city of Asheville to restore water and we will be resuming normal operations.”
Is currently closed and will waive cancellation fees through 10-04-2024. For assistance with reservations, please contact us. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
The Waynesville Inn and Golf Club
10/15/24: "We have some good new to share from here at the Waynesville Inn and Golf Club. Our hotel is accepting all guests, our restaurant is open for members and hotel guests for 3 meals a day. The back 9 holes of our golf course are reopening on Thursday, October 17 for members and hotel guests. A reopen date for the front 9 has not been set."
