When Hurricane Helene tore through the western Carolinas last September, she left in her wake a path of destruction that Pastor Ruth Ann Sipe projects will take a decade or more to fully repair. “Things will never be the same,” Sipe says, “but we will keep working. We measure progress in small steps, and every day there is something to be thankful for.” Pastor Ruth Ann and her husband, Pastor Ray Sipe, serve as coordinators of Lutheran Disaster Response Carolinas (LDRC).

“We cannot underestimate the impact volunteer groups and individuals have made in getting things done,” Pastor Ruth Ann says. “Because we had experience dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina twenty years ago, and serious storms in the eastern part of this state, we had seen what could be accomplished when people come together for their neighbors in need.”

Grant funding from Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) funded the hiring of two volunteer coordinators, one in North Carolina and one in South Carolina. “Amy Phillips came on board in mid-January. She is based at Lutheridge,” Sipe said. “She worked tirelessly to coordinate groups who wanted to help with things that needed to be done, and there were plenty of needs to match with the many groups who volunteered.”

For her part, Phillips said, “It was crazy, chaotic at first. But what has happened is really inspiring. What continues to happen is inspiring.”

From February through August, 971 volunteers gave their time, energy, and heart—logging over 16,800 hours of service across 63 distinct groups. Volunteers came from 25 states, representing 245 cities. “Groups came from as far away as Colorado and Texas, and as close as Durham and Chapel Hill, from all over North Carolina. They came from all over the Midwest, and our largest numbers came from Pennsylvania and Ohio,” Philips said.

This wide range of backgrounds and experiences brought richness to every work site, every story shared, and every home repaired. With an average age of 42, the volunteers spanned generations—from energetic youth to seasoned adults—each offering their own unique gifts.

Phillips explained the process. “When a group contacts us about volunteering, they are asked to do an inventory of their skills. What their members are best at doing. If they like to feed folk, we work with that. If they have people who are skilled carpenters or bricklayers, who can organize warehouses or load trucks, we try to find projects for them that fit their skills. There were, and still are, so many projects that we need help with.”

When you consider the damage faced by both states (NC and SC), and the projected timeline for recovery, it sounds like putting a Band-Aid on a broken leg, but Sipe says, “Every little step is progress. Everything helps. Volunteers line up right after a disaster; everyone wants to do something. Then, after a while, the need is not so urgent, and people forget. But forgetting is not really an option. We still need people helping out, whether that means physically being here or making financial contributions. Gift cards are always welcome. They pay for things like supplies, tools, and building materials.”

The diverse groups of volunteers each bring something unique to the work, but what each group takes away seems to be similar. “We saw God in the people we helped. We saw God in all the people we met. God put us in a place where we could do the most good, where there were people who needed connections, support, prayers, and encouragement. God brought complete strangers, all working together, showing God’s love and strength through everyone involved.”

While the work was anything but glamorous, volunteers said that they felt the presence of God. “God was there while we picked up trash and cleaned up debris after the hurricane. You could see everyone helping together. God was with us the whole time, giving us comfort and support. When it was really hot and we were working outside in the blazing sun, it started to rain. I felt like it was God, thanking us for our hard work. God was there the entire time, both with the helpers and those we were helping. God brought us peace and comfort, and as we worked out there surrounded by God’s creation, we really felt that peace of mind.”

Sipe emphasizes the continuing need for volunteers and support for LDR Carolina’s Helene recovery effort. “Volunteering is simple. Go to our webpage, LDRcarolinas.org, where we now have a tab for volunteers to go in and complete the registration form. We’ll do the rest.”

The ministry of LDR Carolinas thrives by God’s grace and through the many partners who make it possible. The North Carolina and South Carolina Synods share in this ministry of preparedness, with Lutheran Disaster Response as the founding grantor and ongoing supporter. As members of the NC Synod, you are part of this story—through Mission Support, through gifts given after Hurricane Helene, and through your prayers. Faithful people across the ELCA have also joined in giving generously. Together, we embody God’s love in both small steps and bold strides toward recovery. Thanks be to God for this shared witness!

If you would like to join LDR Carolinas more directly in their work, check out these ways to connect.

• Participate in the Hurricane Helene Anniversary Worship Service onsite at Nativity, Arden, or online via livestream, on Sat., Sept. 27, at 3:00 p.m.
• Join the LDRC Network to receive updates and information from coordinators, Pastors Ruth Ann and Ray Sipe.
• Read more about their disaster response and preparedness efforts, including the Bridging Together project, on the LDRC website.
• Visit the LDRC Volunteer Page to learn more about volunteer opportunities and fill out the Volunteer Interest Form.
• Follow LDRC on Instagram or Facebook.