AMOREM responds to Hurricane Helene Impact

AMOREM responds to Hurricane Helene Impact

LENOIR – In the wake of tropical storm Helene, AMOREM continues to give every effort to meet the needs of its patients, their families and staff.

Care was provided around the clock during the storm and AMOREM’s patient care units remained open to serve the needs of patients and their families. AMOREM maintained its mission and made every effort to ensure that there were no disruptions to care. After the storm, AMOREM staff members conducted welfare checks on more than 900 patients and their families to ensure patients and their families were safe and accounted for. During these checks, staff identified any urgent needs and shared disaster relief resources with patients and their families.

“The safety and wellbeing of our staff, patients and their families are the top priority,” says AMOREM CEO April Moore. “I have been humbled by the outpour of support from individuals and organizations nationwide and grateful for our staff who have worked tirelessly to ensure AMOREM’s mission is fulfilled.

In an effort to compile as many resources as possible for AMOREM’s 12-county service area, the AMOREM Emergency Response Team created a document to inform staff, patients and families of local hurricane relief resources. This list included nearby shelters, ice and water pick-up locations, supply locations, oxygen pick-up locations and various other needs to support the community. The resource list was updated multiple times throughout the day and continues to be updated regularly to best support the community.

The Emergency Response Team also created an Emergency Assistance Fund to support AMOREM patients, their families and staff members who were victims of the storm.

The staff and volunteers at Thrifts & Gifts supporting AMOREM gathered donations of clothing, stuffed animals, blankets and other various items to distribute to the High Country communities that were severely impacted by Hurricane Helene. A large delivery of donations was made by this team the Saturday after the storm. The thrift store team also is assisting with clothing needs of patients who have been forced to relocate to AMOREM’s service area due to the impact made by the storm.

AMOREM continues to provide the highest quality care to patients and their families and to provide education and grief support to communities served. To support AMOREM’s mission and to ensure that there is no disruption to care in the aftermath of Helene, please consider donating to www.amoremsupport.org/donate or visit the wish list page on AMOREM’s website to see what physical items can best support your community at this time.