The message below was sent to faculty, staff, and students
Dear Duke Colleagues,
As we return to normal operations at Duke following Hurricane Florence, I want to first thank the many staff members who worked around the clock over the past week to ensure that we made it through the storm safely and with minimal damage and disruption, and who provided vital assistance to first responders, emergency planners and health care providers across the state.
At the same time, many of our neighbors are only now beginning a long process of recovery. Rivers in eastern North Carolina are already above flood stage and may not crest for several more days, and the number of lost homes and livelihoods continues to climb. Duke has a long history of stepping up to aid those who need it after a natural disaster. This time is no different, and I invite you to join in the growing number of efforts to help our community, our state, and our region recover from the storm.
The most immediate need is for resources. This week, we will launch the Duke Doing Good in the Neighborhood Emergency Response Fund, which will support the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund and long-term disaster recovery efforts such as cleaning, repairing and rebuilding homes. You can also support the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, by contributing online or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
Members of the Duke community have already launched a number of relief and support efforts for the victims of Hurricane Florence, and many more are planned or in development. The university also has a website – Duke Relief Efforts — that will be continuously updated to provide information.
Since our founding, Duke has been committed to uplifting our region. Thank you for doing what you can to support that mission as our neighbors recover from this devastating storm.
Sincerely,
Vincent E. Price
President
