High Country United Way & our partner organizations appreciate and value volunteers! If you are interested in volunteering for our organization or a partner agency, please use the sign up form below to be added to our volunteer registry. We'll notify you of upcoming volunteer opportunities and local needs.
High Country United Way brings communities together to find strength and share hope. It’s the way we rally in hard times to meet people’s needs so they can rise back up and build a better future.
Launched on October 1, 2024 and just days after the storm, the Helene Rapid Response Fund fund was created to quickly support recovery efforts across our region. Phase 1 funding was distributed within two weeks after the storm, and Phase 2 concluded on June 30, 2025. We are honored to support these trusted community partners for their dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment to Helene recovery. To donate to the Helene Rapid Response Fund, click to donate.
The following trusted partners were granted funding from Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Helene Rapid Response Fund:
Appalachian Disaster Coalition
Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness (SPROUT)
Ashe Advantage Project
Avery County Habitat for Humanity
Back 2 School Festival – Watauga
Bald Creek Relief
Blue Ridge Opportunity Commission Inc.
Blue Ridge Resource Conservation & Development
Casting Bread, Free Market, and Cafe
Egypt & Ramseytown Volunteer Fire Department
Elk River Helping Hands (Fiscal Agent – Bridges for Avery)
Feeding Avery Families
Fuller Center Disaster Rebuilders, Inc.
GLAD (Greater Lansing Area Development)
Green Valley Volunteer Fire Department
Hospitality House of Northwest North Carolina
Lansing Volunteer Fire Department
Lansing's Bridge to Recovery
Mitchell County Long-Term Recovery Group
Mitchell County Long-Term Recovery Group – Unmet Needs
Mitchell County Shepherd's Staff
Musicians Mission of Mercy
Partners Aligned Toward Health (PATH)
RISE Disaster Relief & Recovery Inc.
Septic Wastewater Solutions
Bradshaw Volunteer Fire Department
W.A.M.Y. Community Action
Watauga County Housing Council
Watauga County Long-Term Recovery Group – Unmet Needs Case Management
Western Youth Network
Yancey County Long-Term Recovery Group – Unmet Needs
Please check back for updates regarding the opening date of Phase 3 of the Helene Rapid Response Fund.