Amidst Devastation, West Virginians Are Responding. Here’s How You Can Help.

The past five days have brought fresh challenges to West Virginia communities.

As West Virginians, we are still trying to comprehend the scope of the devastation and tragedy caused by the June 23 flood. As communities move from a space of rescue to recovery, we are seeing the best of West Virginia in a moment of darkness and difficulty for our state.

Every day since the flood, in every county impacted by rising waters, we have seen West Virginians stepping up to help. That motivation to serve is incredible to see.

They are helping their friends and neighbors. They are helping people they don’t know, families they have never met. They are making dry beds for tired, frightened strangers. They are hauling away rubble, sweeping up broken glass. They are driving from across the state to bring donations, to pick up a shovel and to help out. They are searching through wrecked houses.  They are holding children, providing shelter, providing comfort.

They are going wherever they are needed, doing whatever needs to be done. They are volunteering, donating money, food, baby supplies. From the Eastern Panhandle to the Kentucky border and beyond, West Virginians are responding.

Staff at The Hub have signed up to be a part of that coordinated effort. We know you want to help too. If you are able to lend some time to volunteering in flood-impacted communities, you are urged to register at Volunteer West Virginia’s special flood response volunteer webpage.

The West Virginia National Guard has told us it is vitally important that well-meaning folks do not self deploy. In order for that volunteer effort to be most useful, it must be coordinated. If you really want to do your part to help your fellow West Virginians, please register at www.volunteerwv.org.

If you are not able to help out physically, you can still do your part. Donations are being coordinated through the West Virginia chapter of the American Red Cross. To give, visit www.redcross.org/local/west-virginia

We have a saying that is at the core of a lot of the community development work we do: Do what you can. With what you have. Where you are. Now.

Never has that been so important as today.