BALTIMORE, MD – Greek News USA
International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) has met and exceeded its $1 million fundraising goal set on October 14, 2024, to help those affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, thanks to the generous support of their private donors, large and small, who responded to this call and have helped lay the groundwork for IOCC’s long-term recovery efforts.
“The incredible generosity of our donors, and their care and concern for those impacted by these hurricanes, has been truly humbling for us at IOCC,” said Executive Director Constantine Triantafilou adding that “to reach this fundraising goal so quickly—it’s exceeded our expectations. We are truly grateful and eager to continue our work on the ground”.
Hurricane Helene struck the southeastern US as a Category 4 hurricane on Sept. 27, causing intense flooding and storm surges across Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, and North Carolina, and causing additional damage to Virginia and West Virginia. The damage was particularly severe in western North Carolina, where many roads and highways were badly damaged or destroyed, leaving communities cut off from support.
Immediately after Hurricane Helene hit, IOCC’s field staff were on the ground, conducting assessments in the footprint of the storm. Teams made up of staff and volunteers were then deployed to affected areas–including Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina—where they performed clean up and muck-out work on severely damaged homes. Additionally, IOCC Frontliners were sent to North Carolina and Tennessee to provide emotional and spiritual care to those impacted, this included Asheville, NC, one of the areas worst hit by the storm.
Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida as a Category 3 hurricane on Oct. 9 (less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene), causing storm surges, flooding, and tornados across the central part of the state. Government-led search and rescue efforts were conducted in badly hit areas, and damage assessments were performed across impacted regions.
IOCC field staff and volunteers responded in Pine Island, FL, where they performed cleanup and muck-out work on damaged homes, and Frontliners offered emotional and spiritual care. IOCC also sent 100 cleanup buckets to our partners in Florida for additional help with cleanup work.
According to a press release by IOCC, the funds provided by the organization’s donors make extended recovery work possible, and give momentum to the ongoing relief efforts, projected into 2026. In the near term, cleanup and muck-out work will continue in Tennessee and Florida, and mattresses will be delivered to those affected by Hurricane Milton. In the coming months, IOCC will transition to critical home repair and rebuilding after cleanup efforts have been completed.
IOCC expressed gratitude to its donors for their ongoing support, noting that it is committed to providing long-term relief to the communities affected by these storms. Though an impressive benchmark has been reached, IOCC’s fundraising efforts continue so that more individuals and families may receive the help they truly need.
Those wishing to aid in this effort, either through donation or volunteering, are welcome to visit iocc.org/hurricanes24 for more information.
