October 5, 2024

Donations for Hurricane Helene relief to be made through Catholic Charities USA

REGIONAL
Staff report

The town of Hampton, Tenn., pictured Oct. 3, 2024, was hit hard by flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Helene, with many homes and businesses destroyed. (OSV News photo/Dan McWilliams The East Tennessee Catholic)

SPRINGFIELD – The Diocese of Springfield is supporting Hurricane Helene disaster relief through Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA). More than 200 people have been killed in the Southeast since the Category 4 hurricane made landfall in the Florida Panhandle, Sept. 26. Helene has caused widespread destruction in Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia. In Asheville, N.C., the hurricane caused catastrophic flooding and mudslides, wiping out roads, bridges and washing away homes.

“We have all witnessed the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. For so many who are impacted, there is a long road ahead. It is moments like this that we are called to look beyond our community to help those in need,” said Father Piotr Calik, vicar general for the Diocese of Springfield.

Catholic Charities USA is providing direct support to Catholic Charities agencies in the areas affected by Hurricane Helene. The local Catholic Charities are distributing food, water, hygiene kits, in addition to tarps, sleeping bags, tents and needed equipment. To see a complete update on the CCUSA response go to https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/what-we-do/disaster-relief/hurricane-helene-response/.

“The suffering caused by Hurricane Helene is unimaginable. People have lost everything. We mourn with those who have lost family members and we pray for those whose family members are missing. We prayerfully ask our Catholic community here in the Diocese of Springfield to support the disaster relief efforts through Catholic Charities USA. Our local parishioners are so generous and want to help in some way,” said Carolee McGrath, diocesan spokeswoman.

“Catholic Charities USA has been dispatched to provide hope. This is our opportunity to help and to be the hands and feet of Christ,” McGrath said.

To donate go to diospringfield.org