The Duke community has a long history of pitching in and helping those who need it, especially after a natural disaster. This time is no different — there are many ways we are contributing to helping our community, our state, and our region recover from Hurricane Florence and we invite you to join us:

SUPPORT THE DUKE MARINE LAB
The Duke Marine Lab campus was impacted by Hurricane Florence. It will take a little time to survey the full extent of the conditions but they will get back to normal operations as quickly as possible. You can track their progress and offer your support on the Nicholas site.

CONTRIBUTE TO DUKE FOOTBALL’S COLLECTION DRIVE
Starting Tuesday, September 18 you can drop off supplies at several different locations and with donation of 3 items you will receive $5 off a general admissions ticket to see Duke Football play Virginia on October 20. For details about locations, times, and items needed, please visit the Hurricane Florence Donation Drive on GoDuke.com.

DONATE MONEY
After a disaster, financial donations are the quickest and best way to get help to the people who need it most. Here are two options for you to make a difference now:

  • Duke’s Doing Good in the Neighborhood Campaign
  • In the coming days, we will launch a new “DGIN Emergency Response Fund” to collect donations for the immediate needs of those affected by Hurricane Florence. Donations to this fund go to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund and support long-term disaster recovery efforts such as cleaning, repairing and rebuilding homes.
  • AMERICAN RED CROSS
    You can help people affected by disasters like this hurricane and countless other crises by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

VOLUNTEER
There are many ways for you to volunteer time and talent to aid in the recovery from Hurricane Florence. Please do not self-deploy, but work instead through recognized aid organizations. This list will be updated as new opportunities come up. Thanks to the Office of Durham Affairs for this list:

  • The Red Cross is organizing relief work in damaged NC communities. Those who wish to volunteer who can sign up for a 6- to 12-hour shift and help maintain sheltering facilities, register clients, maintain client information and serve meals, among other tasks. Following sign-up, a Red Cross team member will contact applicants directly — just know that in times like these the Red Cross gets a high volume of applicants so it may take a little time for them to reply.
  • N.C. Baptists On Mission (NCBM) is preparing to respond to needs and to assist with clean up for weeks and months ahead. Those available to help can register their skills for an assignment.
  • NC United Methodists are preparing and collecting Hygiene Kits and Cleaning Kits. These items will need to be kept in churches until they are soon directed to a place in the impacted areas.
  • Catholic Charities Disaster Relief is organizing drivers for box trucks to get supplies from a warehouse in Raleigh to impacted areas in eastern North Carolina including Fayetteville and Wilmington.Click Here to sign up. For all other volunteer opportunities, Click Here. If you have questions about the Disaster Services program, contact Daniel Altenau, Director of Disaster Services by email at Daniel.Altenau@Raldioc.Org or phone at 919-821-9767.
  • Southern Vision Alliance and the Poor People’s Campaign are supporting immediate local response and recovery efforts with relief supply donations and handy people willing to help with repair work. If you are interested in signing up for a repair crew, please contact Hannah at hannah@southernvision.org.
    • Supplies needed immediately are water, toiletries, hand sanitizer, hygiene wipes, canned food or other non-perishable foods, tarps/ropes for securing roofs, first aid kits (pain relievers, antacids, and other over-the-counter medicines), bleach and other cleaning supplies, resealable plastic bags, and air mattresses or cots.

      There are two drop-off locations in Durham:

      • Durham Fruit Company, 305 S Dillard St, Durham, NC 27701, DROP-OFF HOURS: Monday, Sept 17-Thursday Sept 20 from 10am-5pm
      • Durham Food Co-op, 1111 W Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701, DROP-OFF HOURS: Monday-Friday during open store hours

      If you have any questions about supplies and/or drop-off locations, please contact sol@southernvision.org.

  • Other volunteer opportunities are available through the State’s volunteer website: https://www.nc.gov/agencies/volunteer/disaster-assistance

DONATE TO THE FOOD BANK OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN NC
You can help the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC provide emergency and increased assistance to Food Bank partner agencies and communities. Food donations are accepted at Food Bank distribution centers in Durham and Raleigh – or online via their Virtual Food Drive. The most needed items for disaster relief are:

  • High-protein canned meals with pop-top cans (ravioli, soups, spaghetti)
  • Paper goods and products (paper towels/plates/cups/napkins, plastic utensils)
  • Diapers
  • Hygiene products (shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hand sanitizer, etc.)
  • Single serving meals that do not require refrigeration or cooking/meals ready to eat
  • Single serving snacks such as raisins & granola bars
  • Peanut Butter
  • Cleaning supplies and disinfectant wipes

DONATE BLOOD
TheAmerican Red Cross reports that more than 150 blood drives have been canceled through early next week due to Hurricane Florence, resulting in more than 4,400 uncollected blood and platelet donations.

  • Ahead of the storm, the Red Cross sent additional blood products to areas of the Southeast likely to be impacted by the storm and we are prepared to send more to ensure patient needs continue to be met.
  • There is a critical need for platelet and type O blood donations.
  • You can make an appointment using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

DONATE TO THE DIAPER BANK OF NORTH CAROLINA
Learn more about what they do and how they help in times like these on the NC Diaper Bank site.

PARTICIPATE IN THE UNITED WAY’S COLLECTION DRIVE
United Way of the Greater Triangle is partnering with GoTriangle, The Food Bank and WRAL-TV to coordinate the collection of food and supplies that will be sent to two of the most devastated areas once these areas are accessible. They hope to fill at least four GoTriangle buses which will head out on Friday morning!
Collection site: Carter Findley Stadium Gate A