On behalf of the staff family at YMCA Blue Ridge, we thank you for your emails, texts, Facebook messages and comments on social media expressing your concern for our people and this place we all love. Hurricane Helene’s aftermath is overwhelming many areas of Western North Carolina and here at Blue Ridge we are still dealing with the most immediate needs resulting from the storm.

Thanks to several YMCA volunteers, we arranged for most of our staff to be evacuated by bus to a safer area. Those same volunteers also provided initial supplies for key staff who have chosen to remain on the mountain to oversee the initial recovery. Phones, power and water are still out with no estimated time for return. We have already started discussions with professionals to get guidance on how to begin the clean-up and restoration process.

Due to the extensive damage throughout the property, as well as devastation in the surrounding local area, all conferences and retreats are postponed until further notice. YMCA Blue Ridge staff will be reaching out to group leaders in the coming weeks to answer specific questions. Communication is still limited throughout the area so please be patient.

We appreciate your heartfelt offers to help clean up, deliver supplies and donate. We are still assessing our needs and will provide more information on how you can help soon.

In the meantime, your financial gifts will greatly help our recovery. Our website is the quickest and most secure way to send your support. Visit https://blueridgeassembly.org/donate and choose “Storm Relief” as your gift designation. These funds will be used to rebuild our beloved place on the Mountain.

We will continue to share updates moving forward via email, social media and at www.blueridgeassembly.org.