In September 2024, Hurricane Helene tore through Appalachia, causing widespread flooding and devastation across Northeast Tennessee, Western North Carolina, and Southwest Virginia. While ETSU’s campus remained unharmed, many students, faculty, and their families were directly impacted by the storm. To allow time for recovery, ETSU canceled both online and in-person classes for a week.
Amid the tragedy of disrupted communities, lost homes and lives, and a transformed
landscape, stories of resilience and hope emerged. The ETSU community came together, working tirelessly to meet critical needs and
help rebuild what was lost.
Here are some snapshots of the relief and recovery efforts:
Fundraising Efforts
Through the generosity of donors, ETSU raised more than $105,000 to assist students, faculty, and staff who were impacted by the storm.*
348 gifts totaling $66,000
Donations to Buccaneer Student Crisis Fund
204 gifts totaling $18,279
Donations to Bucky’s Food Pantry
128 gifts totaling $21,383
Donations to the ETSU Employee Emergency Assistance Fund
On November 30, the ETSU Martin Center for the Arts hosted a benefit concert featuring 49 Winchester. The concert raised $36,804 for Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee.
ETSU Serves
ETSU participated in the Volunteer United effort, which was set up to support counties affected by Hurricane Helene by connecting volunteers to fulfill community needs.
More than 10,000
volunteer slots were created online.
4,223
volunteer slots were filled.**
524
individuals signed up to volunteer in the ETSU Serves platform.**
Almost 1,000 individuals attended six information sessions hosted and recorded by the ETSU Office of Emergency Management for those interested in volunteering to provide hands-on support for disaster recovery efforts.
Collection Drives
The campus community organized collection drives to assist those impacted by the storm.
*Numbers collected as of January 15, 2025.
**Number reflects October 2, 2024 – December 18, 2024.
ETSU and Marsh Regional Blood Center hosted a two-day blood drive, setting a record with almost 700 donors.
ETSU filled a tractor-trailer with water for hurricane relief.
The campus collected items to create 100+ flood and cleaning supply buckets and 150+ shelter/hygiene kits.
They also collected clothing and pet items for flood survivors, as well as more than 50,000 pounds of food for Second Harvest Food Bank.
More than 2,000 letters of support for emergency responders and disaster survivors were collected through the Letters of Love initiative.
ETSU’s Stuff the Bus initiative filled a truck and trailer with 48 boxes of school supplies that were divided among schools in Greene, Carter, Unicoi, and Johnson counties.
Where People Come First
We are deeply grateful to everyone who donated their time, resources, and expertise to support hurricane relief efforts in our region. Thank you!
Read more incredible stories in the Winter 2025 Edition of ETSU Today. #BucsGoBeyond
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