When university students entered their public relations campaign planning class, they were not expecting to create fundraisers helping to repair the damage from Hurricane Helene. After devastation spread across North Carolina as a result of the dangerous storm, Communications professor Steve Momorella swapped his usual lessons to help build student-run relief campaigns.
Students were divided into multiple groups, each partnering with an organization dedicated to assisting those impacted by the hurricane. Senior Anna Gleason, a political science and communications double major, leads her group titled “UD for Beloved.” Her team is gathering resources for BeLoved Asheville, which donates to those most affected by Hurricane Helene.
“Our group has a donation box set up at Pearson Hall in the communications office,” Gleason said. “We also have one set up at Sean’s House. I am in contact with teachers at Newark High School and hoping to get them involved as well.”
Gleason’s group is taking monetary donations through their Instagram. The page has direct links to Venmo and other ways students can provide relief.
“We are taking non-perishable food, diapers, baby clothes, blankets, first aid supplies, feminine hygiene products and cleaning supplies,” Gleason said. “Once we have everything we will ship it to ‘Beloved Asheville’ so they can distribute it as needed.”
The group sent their first round of donations Oct. 6 and sent another round this previous weekend. Gleason encouraged students to email her with any questions at annag@udel.edu.
Asheville, North Carolina has been drastically affected by Hurricane Helene. Shelters have reached capacity, drinkable water is hard to find and the death toll is rising. The hurricane was labeled category 4 with 140 mph winds. Many homeowners are stuck without power and damage from flooding.
Junior Bella Andres, a communications major, is a leader for her group dedicated to Homeward Bound. The organization is based in Asheville, with a main goal of supporting the homeless population through permanent housing and resources. Following the destruction of Hurricane Helene, the organization has created an Amazon Wish List of items for clients and residents.
The group is accepting donations for the items on the wishlist and said any amount is encouraged. They set up their Instagram page with links to the wish list and other sources of donation.
“This organization is really important and people should be supporting it,” Andres said. “So many people have been devastated in North Carolina, especially the homeless, and they have even less support. It shines a light on people who don’t get enough attention or focus.”
Another student group created a campaign called ‘Hens for Hope,’ fundraising for the organization Hope Mill Inc. Their Instagram page is titled hens4hope.
Senior Megan Emmerling, a communication major, is involved with the group and their fundraising.
“There is a GoFundMe where you can donate money so they can send supplies to the community through helicopters,” Emmerling said. “They are flying in supplies and flying people out that desperately need help.”
The GoFundMe has received over a million dollars in donations and continues to grow. Andres reflected on the importance of helping those impacted by the hurricane.
“It is important to spread the word to friends and families back home,” Andres said. “We should be buying items off the wish list that are more in need. Products we should focus on are boat starters, shampoo and menstrual products. Students should share it with their families, and also with their professors, clubs and departments they are in.”
Donation boxes remained around campus for the previous week. One location was in Pearson Hall and another box was set up outside of Sean’s House. Students will continue posting links across their Instagrams on how to get involved.
Momorella was proud of his class and the work they have contributed to helping those impacted by Hurricane Helene.
“It is inspirational for both me and the students to be able to make a difference,” Momorella said. “We went from idea, to concept to implementation within two weeks. Normally, we are having students create pretend press releases for fictitious companies. This was [the] real world.”
Gleason reflected on the impact of coming together as a community to help others.
“The UD community has dealt with a lot of tragedy in a short amount of time,” Gleason said. “We have such a close-knit community and support system. Being able to provide that support to communities outside of our area is so rewarding. It reminds me how much I love UD and how great a student body we have.”