CCA Mobilizes to Provide Hurricane Relief

By David (Cotton) Cottingham

In September, Hurricane Helene roared through western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, leaving communities devastated in its wake. The high winds ripped trees out of the ground. Torrential rains, as much as 30 inches in 24 hours in some areas, raised water in creeks and rivers throughout the region to crest at previously unseen levels. Multiple homes and communities in the steep mountainous river valleys were destroyed. Well over 100 people died due to Helene in North Carolina, and well over 200 across six states. Several river outfitters facilities washed away.

The CCA Board decided at its October meeting to establish a Hurricane Helene Fund and asked members to donate. As of mid-November, CCA members had generously donated about $3,000 to the effort. In addition, CCA is donating $500 from our limited coffers to support recovery in the region.

CCA identified several local organizations that are coordinating response efforts. Working through the French Broad River Academy, an outdoor-oriented school in Asheville where many faculty members are paddlers, we found the Helene Rebuild Collaborative and became more familiar with their good work through Calleva's Steve-O McKone, who has made a trip to North Carolina with a significant donation of goods. The collaborative has been collecting all sorts of camping items, tools, food, and medical supplies, and it maintains a list of priority items people need.

Large six-person tents have remained among the highest-need items. Risa Shimoda thought about people in the outdoor industry she has long known and identified Bo Terry, the owner of Sunrift Adventures in Travelers Rest, SC. Sunrift carries a comprehensive line of outdoor equipment including Northstar canoes, Dagger and Perception kayaks, and paddling gear. Bo contacted his product distributors to identify ones who would be good for CCA to work through. Risa arranged with ALPS Mountaineering in Missouri to purchase tents at below wholesale price. CCA purchased 10 large tents and ground cloths to donate to the Helene Rebuild Collaborative. Bo also donated many items from his store. He allowed ALPS to deliver the tents to his store, where I picked them up and delivered them to the Helene Rebuild Collaborative. 

I feel so good about this effort for many reasons. First, the CCA community generously responded for communities in desperate need by donating cash. Second, Risa devoted exceptional effort identifying where CCA could purchase badly needed items at the best prices and got CCA wonderful deals. In this way, CCA has demonstrated its commitment and dedication to assure the paddling communities in North Carolina and Tennessee that paddlers in the DC area care about them. We have been able to amplify our donation through Bo Terry at Sunrift Adventures, who assisted in many ways. Finally, Susan Sherrod administered our fundraiser and Ginny DeSeau helped us thank our donors. A wholehearted THANK YOU to all involved for a terrific team effort!