Hurricane Helene caused substantial destruction, impacting our local communities in the New River Valley and bordering areas. With record-high flooding, many of our neighbors experienced loss and are enduring hardships. The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce strives to be a problem-solving organization that seeks to help others and create opportunities for collaboration. With the assistance of Feeding Southwest Virginia, the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce was able to collect hundreds of donations, which included non-perishable food items, baby diapers/wipes, bottled water, personal hygiene items, linens, and animal supplies.
On Tuesday, Oct. 8, 20+ volunteers from local organizations helped load all supplies that were collected. There was not an empty space on the truck, and we greatly appreciate our community’s response to help those in need.
All food items collected went to Feeding SWVA, the other items will be taken to Smyth County to assist residents in that area.
“I asked the community for help, and they answered in a big way,” said Steve Baffuto, President of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce.
If you would still like to donate, the United Way of Southwest Virginia has stepped forward to raise funding for the emergency response and long-term recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene and the Chamber will continue to accept donations. To donate to the 2024 SWVA Regional Disaster Relief Fund, visit unitedwayswva.org. Additionally, there are low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) available to businesses and residents in Virginia following the announcement of a Presidential disaster declaration for Hurricane Helene that began on Sept. 25th.
The disaster declaration covers Giles, Grayson, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington and Wythe counties and the Independent City of Galax, which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Small businesses and most private, nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties, are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs): Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Craig, Montgomery, Pulaski, Russell, Scott and the Independent City of Bristol, in Virginia; Alleghany, Ashe and Surry in North Carolina; Johnson and Sullivan in Tennessee; and McDowell, Mercer, Monroe and Summers in West Virginia.
Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce
