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POLK COUNTY—Immediately after Hurricane Helene devastated our region, the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina jumped into action by developing the Emergency Disaster and Relief Fund to help local organizations recover from personal and financial devastation. They quickly awarded Polk County Schools $24,189 to help cover expenses the school system incurred during the 2 week response period.

Hurricane Helene forced Polk County Schools and its staff into the center of the county disaster recovery arena. Each school had to pivot from educating children to serving families impacted by the storm. Every school became a community distribution site for food, water, supplies, and communication. School administrators, teachers, parents, and students all jumped in to help families that had been the hardest hit.

The PEAK After School program provided emergency child care for Advent Polk, formerly St. Luke’s Hospital, in response to personnel challenges caused by the hurricane. The nursing director and her staff provided necessary coverage at the Red Cross shelter, which was opened at the high school. The Nutritional Services staff was on duty the next day, providing meals to volunteers and the National Guard at both Polk County High School and Polk Central Elementary, and they continued to provide breakfast and lunch at these locations for several weeks.

Polk County Schools is grateful for the support of the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina. Their response motto, “Generosity Multiplied,” personifies the efforts of all the partnering organizations and individuals who selflessly jumped in to help those in need.

 

Submitted by George Alley