$3.9 million raised and distributed by App State Disaster Relief Fund

BOONE, N.C. — In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, thousands of individuals across the state, nation and world reached out to support Mountaineers. The App State Disaster Relief Fund raised and distributed over $3.9 million in bridge funding for thousands of students, faculty and staff at Appalachian State University as they navigated significant losses and challenges from the storm.

More than 4,600 people across the state, nation and world contributed to the relief fund, representing 48 states and seven countries. A generous outpouring of support came not only from App State alumni and supporters across the region, but also from faculty, staff and fans at universities across the nation, as well as many other individuals, including 1,700 who had no prior affiliation with the university.

“Recognizing that ‘full recovery’ may take months or even years to come,” said App State Interim Chancellor Heather Norris, “it is encouraging and inspiring to see the incredible progress our community has made together with the help of those who have contributed to the App State Disaster Relief Fund.”

Over 5,400 students, faculty and staff received bridge grants of up to $1,000 at the university’s Disaster Relief Hub, which operated from Oct. 1 until Oct. 18 inside the university’s Plemmons Student Union. The hub offered resources and support for faculty, staff and students with representatives from Counseling and Psychological Services, Case Management, Emergency Management, Financial Aid, Off-Campus Student Services, the Student Legal Clinic and the App State Disaster Relief Fund.

App State Dean of Students Judy Haas helped assist students, faculty and staff at the Disaster Relief Hub. Through her work at the hub, Haas heard firsthand accounts from App State students, faculty and staff who lost their homes, their means of transportation, as well as essential items due to the hurricane — including one individual who “walked out of their residence with the clothes on their back, and that’s it,” she said. The need among the Mountaineer Community was profound, according to Haas.