Hurricane Helene has devastated six states, leaving at least 130 people dead and hundreds missing. Lives ended, houses destroyed, towns flooded, the hurricane’s path of destruction has a steep cost. Nearly 1.6 million homes and businesses do not have power.
The American Red Cross of Utah is calling on Utahns, business leaders and foundations across the state to raise $1 million by the weekend to donate to relief efforts.
Communities will need to rebuild. Hospitals, schools and roads were damaged in the wake of the catastrophic disaster. A release from the Red Cross of Utah said volunteers from the state are on the ground in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina.
“When you see a home floating down the river, we know that this is not just the average disaster,” said Michael Smauldon, executive director of the American Red Cross Northern Utah & Southwest Wyoming Chapter.
The idea for the push for $1 million donated by the weekend came as Smauldon and other leaders were thinking of creative ways to invite Utahns to engage with philanthropy.