ETSU Response
Hurricane Ian Impact
One of the strongest hurricanes to make landfall in U.S. history, Hurricane Ian has left communities in Florida and along the Eastern Coast of the United States devastated. With major damage to cities and infrastructure, thousands are seeking assistance with medical care, housing, and food as state and federal agencies continue to assess the damage and needs. Dozens of local, state, and federal non-profits and organizations have stepped forward to offer assistance to those impacted by Ian.
If you would like to consider offering assistance to those affected, please consider the following opportunities to donate.
Ways to help
- Florida Disaster Fund: The Florida Disaster Fund is the State of Florida’s official private fund established to assist Florida’s communities as they respond to and recover during times of emergency or disaster. In partnership with the public sector, private sector and other non-governmental organizations, the Florida Disaster Fund supports response and recovery activities.
- United Way of Florida Disaster Recovery Fund: The United Way of Florida is currently directing donations toward responding to relief following Hurricane Ian. Any donations intended for a specific location or county can be noted on the donation page. There's also the option to donate directly to the Hurricane Ian Relief Fund of local branches.
- American Red Cross: The American Red Cross is providing shelter and meals for Hurricane Ian survivors with more than 1,400 trained disaster workers supporting relief efforts in Florida. The organization has opened 39 shelters across the state.
- Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies: The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies is a disability-led organization that focuses on equity for people with disabilities, older adults and people with access and functional needs from disaster preparation to recovery response. The organization hosts a hotline that acts as a hub to connect people with the resources available in their area and has a history of partnering with agencies such as FEMA and charities like The American Red Cross.
- World Central Kitchen: The World Central Kitchen is providing fresh meals to communities in southwest Florida that were impacted by Hurricane Ian. Founded by celebrity chef José Andrés in 2010 after a catastrophic earthquake in Haiti, the organization employs local chefs and volunteers to cook hot meals for people impacted by natural disasters. World Central Kitchen has served millions of meals, including in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria in 2017 and in the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian in 2019.
How to avoid charity scams
- Check out any organization seeking donations through the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance, the Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, or Guidestar.
- Ask questions on how and who will benefit from your donation. Resist pressure to give on the spot.
- If you are asked for a donation through text or email, contact the charity or nonprofit directly to verify the request.
- If you give through an app or website, ask if it is going directly to the organization.
- Don't assume a social media or blog recommendation has been approved by the nonprofit.
- Avoid giving cash.
- Always try to get a receipt for your donations and ask if it is tax deductible.
- If a paid fundraiser asks you for a donation, ask how much is kept by the fundraiser and how much goes to the nonprofit.
ETSU Support Services
The ETSU community provides support services for students, faculty, and staff who may have been affected by this disaster. The ETSU Dean of Students office is reaching out to offer to support and offer assistance to students who have home addresses listed in areas impacted.
The ETSU Counseling Center provides personal counseling for students, as well as outreach and referrals. Students may access the ETSU Counseling Center at (423) 439-3333. The Counseling Center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and is located on the 3rd floor of the DP Culp Center. Telehealth/Zoom services are also available. The Bucs Press 2 service is available 24/7/365 by dialing (423) 439-4841 and pressing 2 to speak to a counselor.
Student veterans who may have questions or need support are welcome to reach out to the ETSU Veteran’s Affairs office.
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a resource for faculty and staff who need counseling support and referral to other resources.
Student Organization Efforts
Leadership and Civic Engagement, housed within the Ronald and Edith J. Carrier Center, is serving as a clearinghouse for student response efforts. For more information, you may contact serve@etsu.edu